China's Xi says friendship with North Korea 'invincible' ahead of visit

SEOUL: Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that Beijing's friendship with Pyongyang was "invincible" and pledged closer cooperation, North Korean state media reported, as Xi prepared to visit the North for the first time in seven years.

"No matter how the times change or how the international situation evolves, the traditional friendship between China and North Korea will always remain invincible," Xi wrote in an article featured on the front page of Rodong Sinmun newspaper.