People watch a television screen showing Chinese President Xi Jinping with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin (AFP).

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Chinese President Xi Jinping during Thursday’s summit that his country will continue to support China in its efforts to protect its sovereignty, territory, and developmental interests, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

Kim said, “No matter how the international situation changes, the feeling of friendship cannot change” between the two countries.

The two leaders held a bilateral summit in Beijing.

According to the agency, Xi told Kim that China and North Korea are “neighboring countries with good and friendly relations” sharing a common destiny.

The agency said the leaders discussed strengthening strategic cooperation and protecting common interests in international and regional issues, increasing reciprocal visits by senior officials, as well as strategic communication.

The agency confirmed that Kim left Beijing to return to North Korea on Thursday.