North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met on Thursday with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Vice President Dmitry Medvedev on the sidelines of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the ruling Communist Party in Pyongyang, according to North Korean media.

Kim Jong Un praised Beijing’s efforts to maintain “friendship and cooperation” between the two countries, according to the North Korean news agency.

China is considered North Korea’s closest ally despite tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear program.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Premier said that “maintaining and developing traditional friendship and cooperation is an unwavering policy of China,” according to the Chinese Xinhua news agency.

North Korea held performances on Thursday at May Day Square in Pyongyang to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Communist Party’s founding.

Kim Jong Un delivered a speech at the celebration in the presence of Russian Security Council Vice President Dmitry Medvedev and Vietnamese Communist Party leader To Lam.

The two countries have strengthened their ties since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Pyongyang sending thousands of troops to support the Russian army in combat.

North Korean media showed scenes of children presenting flowers to their leader, who succeeded his father, who also succeeded his own father.

Pyongyang is expected to hold a large military parade on Friday showcasing its latest generation of weapons, especially intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to observers.

South Korea’s military said its northern neighbor appears to be preparing “exercises involving equipment and missiles,” with the parade likely to take place Friday evening.

A South Korean defense official told reporters, “We expect it to rain in North Korea at a rate of one millimeter starting in the afternoon. So the parade will likely still be held.”

Seong-Hyun Lee, a researcher at Harvard University’s Asia Center, noted that these celebrations and parades are an occasion to demonstrate the strategic alliance strength of the China-North Korea-Russia axis.

He added to AFP: “From a strategic perspective, Kim shows his status as a partner.”