U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are currently working together on a DO NOT BOARD (DNB) process with regard to the DRC, DHS said in a post on X.
'American citizens who are departing from the DRC may be subject to a DO NOT BOARD (DNB) order. Americans are able to return to the United States 21 days after leaving the DRC,' it added.
The latest announcement came one day after the CDC announced temporarily restricting U.S. entry for all travelers who were recently in DRC and certain travelers who were recently in Uganda or South Sudan.
'Air passengers who have been in Uganda and South Sudan in the past 21 days and are allowed to enter the United States will have their travel rerouted to a designated airport for public health entry screening,' the CDC said in the update Tuesday.
Since May, the DRC has been fighting an outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment. As of Tuesday, the number of confirmed Ebola cases in the DRC has reached 2,011, including 754 deaths.
Since May, the DRC has been fighting an outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, for which there is no approved vaccine.
Known for its commitment to quality, affordability and convenience, Simba Supermarket has established itself as one of Rwanda's leading retail brands.
With 15 branches across the country, the retailer continues to provide customers with a wide selection of local and international products while expanding the way families experience its stores.
This holiday season, Simba is placing family experiences at the heart of its offering by bringing together shopping, dining and entertainment under one roof.
Complementing this experience, I&M Bank enables customers to pay quickly, securely and conveniently using a range of digital payment solutions. Whether shopping for groceries, enjoying a meal or paying for entertainment, customers can complete their transactions seamlessly, making every visit even more convenient.
Beyond its retail shelves, visitors can enjoy an indoor entertainment centre at Simba Gacuriro featuring an arcade with a variety of games for children and adults, alongside immersive 3D and 5D cinema experiences. Designed to cater to different age groups, the facilities offer families an opportunity to spend quality time together in a safe and engaging environment.
Speaking about this year's holiday experience, Simba Supermarket Managing Director Joseph Mutabazi said that this reflects the company's commitment to continuously enhancing the customer experience.
'At Simba Supermarket, we believe every visit should be more than just a shopping trip. This holiday season, we are delighted to offer families an experience that brings together quality shopping, delicious dining and exciting entertainment for all ages.'
The experience extends to Simba's in-store coffee shops, where families can enjoy freshly prepared meals, snacks and a selection of hot and cold beverages.
Whether taking a break after shopping or simply spending an afternoon together, the café complements Simba's vision of creating a welcoming destination for every member of the family.
Through its partnership with Simba Supermarket, I&M Bank continues to support innovative payment solutions while empowering customers to enjoy fast, easy and convenient digital payments.
The collaboration reflects both organisations' shared commitment to delivering seamless customer experiences that combine convenience, innovation and everyday value.
With many parents seeking meaningful activities during the school holidays, Simba Supermarket is positioning itself as a place where everyday errands can become memorable family outings.
By combining retail, dining and entertainment in a single location, supported by seamless digital payment solutions from I&M Bank, the supermarket offers visitors the convenience of accomplishing more in one trip while creating moments that children and parents can enjoy together.
As families look for places that offer both convenience and recreation during the holiday season, Simba Supermarket continues to strengthen its position as more than a retail destination.
Together with I&M Bank, it is delivering an experience that brings together quality shopping, hospitality, family entertainment and effortless payments—reflecting the evolving needs of today's consumers, one visit at a time.
From classic favorites to interactive attractions, the arcade provides fun-filled experiences for adults and children of all ages this holiday seasonA family enjoys a friendly basketball challenge at Simba Supermarket's family arcade, where every game adds to the holiday excitement.A selection of arcade games offers endless entertainment, making Simba Supermarket a go-to holiday destination for families.
For women of childbearing age, the challenges multiply: fears of birth defects from medications, risks of seizures harming mother or child, and questions about inheritance and breastfeeding have long cast a shadow over dreams of motherhood.
For Chinese neurologist Dr. Chen Lei, chief physician and professor in the Department of Neurology at West China Hospital of Sichuan University based in Chengdu City, these questions became more than medical concerns. They became a lifelong mission.
With more than 20 years of experience in clinical and basic research on epilepsy, Dr. Chen has dedicated much of her career to helping women living with epilepsy safely become mothers while advancing new approaches for patients whose seizures remain difficult to control.
Her journey began in 2010, when she was expecting her first child.
During a routine prenatal visit, Dr. Chen encountered three pregnant women with epilepsy who were searching for answers.
They asked whether their children would inherit epilepsy, whether anti-epileptic drugs could cause birth defects, and whether they would still be able to breastfeed.
'As a mother myself, I understood their fears,' Dr. Chen recalls during an interview with IGIHE. 'But as a neurologist, I realised I could not answer their questions. I could not find the answers in textbooks or specialised epilepsy books.'
The epilepsy research team works with digital tools and medical technology to explore new methods of predicting seizures before they occur.
From a mother's question to a lifelong research mission
That moment changed the direction of her career.
At the time, research on epilepsy among women of reproductive age was limited. Dr. Chen began reviewing available international studies, translating scientific knowledge into Chinese and searching for evidence that could guide both doctors and patients.
After reviewing the available literature, which at the time included only around 200 research papers published annually on the topic, Dr. Chen compiled the evidence and combined it with her own clinical insights.
One year later, in 2011, she published China's first clinical reference book dedicated to women with epilepsy, providing doctors with practical guidance on pregnancy, treatment and reproductive health management.
However, Dr. Chen soon realised that medical literature alone could not answer every question faced by patients.
After the book was published, many women and their families came to seek her advice.
'They asked, 'How can my daughter who has epilepsy have a healthy baby?'' Dr. Chen says. 'But I could not give them a confident answer because I only had knowledge from books and literature, without enough practical experience.'
To address this gap, Dr. Chen began building a patient cohort, registering women with epilepsy between the ages of 18 and 45 who wanted to have children.
This work later developed into Asia's first registry and long-term follow-up database for women with epilepsy, creating a foundation for years of research into pregnancy outcomes, medication safety and the health of children born to mothers with epilepsy.
Through the research, Dr. Chen and her team identified challenges that extended beyond medical complications. Many women had lived for years with fear and uncertainty, while some families struggled emotionally because they believed epilepsy would prevent them from having children.
'Some patients had been trying for five or ten years without success,' Chen says. 'Some cried in the clinic with their families, and sometimes husbands cried too, even talking about divorce because they could not have children.'
Driven by the belief that women with epilepsy deserved the opportunity to experience motherhood safely, Dr. Chen expanded research into treatment approaches, including how anti-epileptic drugs should be used during pregnancy and how medication dosages could be adjusted to protect both mothers and babies.
Her team's findings have since contributed to epilepsy management guidelines in China and internationally through collaboration with the International League Against Epilepsy.
In recognition of her scientific contribution and commitment to public service, Chen was named in May 2026 among China's 'Most Beautiful Sci-Tech Workers,' an honour recognising researchers who combine innovation with social impact.
Today, the work she started has grown into a wider medical network. More than 300 hospitals across China follow treatment standards developed through her research, while doctors and students continue to receive training in managing epilepsy among women of reproductive age.
'Women with epilepsy can now safely carry a pregnancy to term,' Dr. Chen says. 'During pregnancy, they have fewer seizures, their children are born healthier, and rates of disability and mortality have also declined.'
Dr. Chen Lei displays her book on women's epilepsy, the first scientific reference book of its kind in China dedicated to female epilepsy care and reproductive health.
Expanding epilepsy research beyond pregnancy
Beyond women's epilepsy, Chen has expanded her research to patients whose seizures cannot be controlled through medication, known as drug-resistant epilepsy.
Her team has explored new treatment approaches, including minimally invasive procedures and the use of advanced technologies combining brain imaging, Electroencephalogram (EEG) data, movement information and blood biomarkers to better understand and predict seizures.
One area of research she highlights is the discovery of protein biomarkers that may predict seizures a day before they occur, potentially allowing patients to monitor their condition outside hospitals.
'EEG monitoring can only be used in hospitals, but these biomarkers can be used at home,' Chen explains. 'Every community could use this to help patients.'
She is also involved in research on brain-computer interfaces (BCI), a rapidly developing field that uses brain signals to create communication between the brain and external devices.
For Dr. Chen, the goal is not only to control seizures but to improve quality of life throughout a patient's lifetime.
'Even if seizures are controlled now, they may return later,' she says. 'We need more and more new methods to help them live a high-quality life for their whole lifetime. That is their dream, and it is also my dream.'
Young doctors and medical researchers work at the innovation studio, exploring new technologies aimed at improving diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders.
Taking epilepsy knowledge beyond borders
Dr. Chen's research has also been shaped by international cooperation. The first preface of her book on women's epilepsy was written by Peter Wolf, former president of the International League Against Epilepsy, while other mentors from Japan and Harvard University have also influenced her scientific journey.
Looking ahead, Dr. Chen believes knowledge-sharing can help address epilepsy challenges beyond China's borders, including in Africa.
As 2026 marks the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, she sees healthcare as an important area for collaboration.
'As a Chinese doctor, I want to contribute my knowledge to this collaboration,' she says. 'In the future, we can establish summer schools or educational programmes to welcome doctors and students from Africa to China. We can also go to African countries to help patients and doctors.'
For Dr. Chen, medicine is ultimately about connection, between doctors and patients, between countries and between generations of researchers working toward the same goal.
'I think communication is very important,' she says. 'If we work together, it will be very good.'
Through years of research, mentorship and patient care, Dr. Chen Lei has helped transform epilepsy from a condition surrounded by fear into one where women can look forward to motherhood with greater confidence and hope.
Dr. Chen Lei, chief physician and professor at West China Hospital of Sichuan University, has dedicated more than two decades to improving care for people living with epilepsy, especially women hoping to become mothers.Advanced epilepsy research equipment at the innovation studio in Sichuan supports the study of brain activity, seizure patterns and new treatment approaches.Dr. Chen Lei (third from left) introduces her epilepsy research work to a delegation of African senior journalists during their recent visit to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province.
Both sides now accuse the other of violating the agreement first. While neither has formally declared the MoU void, the latest escalation has cast doubt over whether diplomacy can survive another round of fighting.
Has the MoU collapsed?
The clearest signal yet came from U.S. President Donald Trump, who formally notified Congress in a letter dated Friday that military operations against Iran had resumed under his direction.
In a letter to lawmakers, Trump described the strikes on Iran that began on July 7 as 'military action consistent with my responsibility to protect Americans and United States' interests both at home and abroad.' This notification starts a new 60-day period during which the Trump administration can conduct military operations in the region without congressional approval.
On Monday, Trump said on Truth Social that the United States was 'reinstating the Iranian blockade, so named because it is only stopping Iran's ships or customers from entering or leaving,' and proposed charging a 20 percent fee on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Tehran insists it is not the side that abandoned the agreement.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that the MoU had entered a 'crisis phase' because Washington had continuously violated its obligations. He said Iran would follow a principle of 'commitment for commitment' and warned that if the United States continues breaching the deal, Iran would no longer see any reason to fulfill its own obligations.
Can diplomacy revive?
Before the latest escalation, the two sides had been using regional mediators to preserve the fragile agreement.
According to Axios, Washington demanded that Iran publicly reaffirm that the Strait of Hormuz remained open and 'stop firing on commercial ships,' arguing that Tehran had violated the MoU.
Trump also said last week that the United States had agreed to continue talks with Iran, although he simultaneously declared that the ceasefire was 'over.'
Iran denied requesting new negotiations but indicated it remained willing to engage through regional intermediaries, including Qatar, according to Qatar's Al Jazeera television.
The fighting has nevertheless intensified. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its latest wave of strikes against Iran concluded late Monday after strikes on military targets across Iran, including Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas, to 'further degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping.'
Iran has continued missile and drone attacks on U.S. positions and regional targets, including Oman, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait.
The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said Tuesday that it has launched missile and drone attacks on the U.S. Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain. 'The retaliatory operation continues,' the statement said.
Who controls Hormuz?
The Strait of Hormuz has once again become the main flashpoint.
Early Sunday, Iran's IRGC announced that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed 'until further notice' and until 'the end of U.S. interference in this region.'
The U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center and the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said Sunday that the southern route remains operational despite Iranian claims, adding that 'U.S. forces are prepared to maintain freedom of navigation and safeguard lawful commerce.'
On Monday, CENTCOM announced that it would resume blockading maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports beginning at 4 p.m. ET (2000 GMT) Tuesday.
Baghaei said Sunday that arrangements for the future administration of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz must be made through consultations with Oman.
Those competing visions directly contradict one of the MoU's central provisions, which envisioned the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade while Iran ensured safe passage for international shipping.
For now, the memorandum has not been formally abandoned. But with military operations expanding, the agreement appears to be surviving more on paper than in practice.
Fresh U.S. airstrikes and Iranian retaliation have plunged Washington and Tehran back into open conflict less than a month after they signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ending the war and paving the way for broader negotiations.
OPEC made the forecast in its latest monthly oil market report. Of the total 800,000 bpd demand growth, the oil demand in the non-OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries is expected to take up the biggest share and grow by about 740,000 bpd year-on-year in 2026.
In its June report, OPEC had forecast global oil demand growth of 1 million bpd year-on-year for 2026.
In 2027, global oil demand is estimated to rise by about 1.9 million bpd year-on-year, representing an upward revision of about 200,000 bpd from OPEC's June forecast.
On the supply side, the report said that in June, crude oil production by OPEC+ countries increased by about 3 million bpd month-on-month to average at 36.28 million bpd. However, major producer Saudi Arabia reported lower oil production in June compared with a month ago.
In 2027, global oil demand is estimated to rise by about 1.9 million bpd year-on-year
The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) received the Innovative Project for Impact Award for its AI-Assisted Coding of Multilingual Job Descriptions for Faster Employment Statistics project, which uses artificial intelligence to classify job and economic activity descriptions in Kinyarwanda, English and French.
The AI-powered tool is designed to accelerate the processing of Labour Force Survey data by automating the coding of job descriptions, a critical step in producing employment statistics. The innovation is expected to improve efficiency, reduce processing time and strengthen the production of timely official statistics for policy and planning.
The award was announced during Innovate for Impact 2026, a programme under the AI for Good platform by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that identifies and supports AI solutions developed to address real-world challenges. The 2026 edition recognised 59 projects selected from nearly 400 global submissions.
The AI for Good Summit highlighted projects demonstrating how artificial intelligence can be applied to practical challenges, particularly in areas where scalable and resource-efficient solutions can deliver meaningful impact.
NISR's project was among innovations recognised for its ability to address local needs while offering a model that can be adapted to other contexts. The use of multilingual AI is particularly significant in environments where language diversity can create challenges for data processing and digital services.
The project was developed under the first cohort of the Data Science Capacity Building Initiative (DSCBI) through collaboration with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences – Rwanda (AIMS Rwanda), Mastercard, and Cenfri. The initiative aimed to strengthen data science capacity and support the adoption of advanced technologies in addressing development challenges.
NISR said the recognition reflects the Government of Rwanda's visionary leadership and commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence to strengthen the production of official statistics.
The award comes as Rwanda continues to expand its focus on responsible AI development and adoption. President Paul Kagame attended the AI for Good Global Summit 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, in his capacity as Co-Chair of the newly launched AI for Good Global Commission.
Addressing heads of state, technology leaders, investors and development partners, President Kagame called for greater investment in infrastructure, skills development and accountable governance to ensure AI benefits communities worldwide.
'We must be intentional about designing, funding, and governing AI so that it can reach its full potential,' Kagame said last Wednesday.
He identified access to computing infrastructure, connectivity and reliable energy as key priorities, alongside the development of skills needed for an AI-driven economy and governance frameworks that promote trust and transparency.
President Kagame also highlighted Rwanda's practical applications of AI, including the Health Intelligence Center, which uses real-time health data and artificial intelligence to support disease prediction and policy decisions.
In June 2026, Rwanda's Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Agency, which will coordinate AI development, innovation, investment, adoption and governance as part of the country's digital transformation agenda.
The AI for Good Global Summit, organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), continues to serve as a platform for showcasing AI solutions that advance inclusive development. Rwanda's recognition at the summit demonstrates how locally developed technologies can contribute to global efforts to use artificial intelligence for social and economic progress.
The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) received the Innovative Project for Impact Award for its AI-Assisted Coding of Multilingual Job Descriptions for Faster Employment Statistics project.The award was announced during Innovate for Impact 2026, a programme under the AI for Good platform by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that identifies and supports AI solutions developed to address real-world challenges. The 2026 edition recognised 59 projects selected from nearly 400 global submissions.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013 before handing over power to his son, died at the age of 74. His death was announced in an official statement released on Sunday.
In its message of condolence, AFC/M23 conveyed sympathy to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Qatari royal family, the government, and the people of Qatar following the passing of the former Emir.
'His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani will be remembered as an exceptional statesman and visionary who, through his leadership, transformed Qatar into a respected global actor committed to peace, dialogue, development, and international cooperation,' the statement read.
AFC/M23 said the legacy of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani would continue to inspire future generations in Qatar and far beyond
The movement added that, as one of the parties involved in the mediation talks facilitated by Qatar between AFC/M23 and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), it had witnessed Qatar's commitment to encouraging dialogue, peaceful conflict resolution, and efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability.
'These efforts reflect the values and vision that His Highness the Father Amir helped to establish and promote,' AFC/M23 added.
As Qatar continues to mourn the former Emir, AFC/M23 said it stands in solidarity with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the royal family, the government, and citizens of Qatar during this period of loss.
Since early 2025, Qatar has been leading mediation efforts aimed at facilitating dialogue between the Democratic Republic of Congo and AFC/M23 in an effort to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in eastern DRC.
AFC/M23 has accused the Congolese government of repeatedly failing to respect commitments made during the negotiations, while alleging that violence and human rights abuses have continued, particularly affecting communities of Congolese Tutsi origin.
Former Qatar leader Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died at the age of 74.AFC/M23 conveyed sympathy to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Qatari royal family, the government, and the people of Qatar following the passing of the former Emir.
The Africa CDC said in a press statement issued Saturday that health workers, humanitarian personnel, volunteers and operational staff are 'sustaining the response under intense pressure,' identifying cases, caring for patients and protecting affected communities in order to contain transmission.
It said relevant authorities and the response team have launched an epidemiological investigation, contact tracing and exposure risk assessments concerning the U.S. humanitarian worker, while highlighting that the exact circumstances of the exposure remain under investigation. The confirmed case has been supporting the outbreak response in Bunia, the capital of eastern DRC's Ituri Province and the epicenter of the outbreak.
At least 112 healthcare workers have been infected with the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, while some 35 have lost their lives in the DRC, according to the latest data from the African Union's specialized public health agency.
'Reliable protective equipment, strong infection prevention systems, continuous training, psychosocial support and safe working conditions are essential for every person delivering this response,' the statement quoted Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya as saying.
The agency urged all organizations operating in affected areas to strengthen occupational safety measures, report suspected exposures and symptoms promptly, and provide continuous support to their personnel.
Last month, France reported an imported Bundibugyo Ebola case involving a health worker who had supported the response in the DRC.
Medical workers carry out disinfection work at an Ebola treatment center in Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, July 6, 2026.
The exchange comes as Russia and Ukraine continue a war that has raged since early 2022, with diplomatic tensions increasingly spilling into Africa, where both countries have sought to strengthen political partnerships.
Lavrov made the remarks on Friday, July 10, 2026, during a working visit to Burundi, where he held talks with Burundian Foreign Affairs Minister Edouard Bizimana before meeting Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who currently serves as Chairperson of the African Union.
During his visit, Lavrov accused Ukraine of supporting armed groups opposed to governments friendly to Moscow, including the M23 movement in eastern DRC.
'We are seeing instances of gross external interference in African affairs, including in the situation where the legitimate Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the support of Burundi, is overcoming an aggression carried out against it by the M23 movement supported by foreign representatives, including Ukrainians. We know it, and so do our friends.'
He further alleged: 'Basically, Ukrainians are trying to side with forces, which oppose legitimate governments in too many conflicts on the African continent, just to establish themselves as a 'political factor' in the region. And the main thing for them is to create trouble for countries, which are friendly to Russia.'
Lavrov departed Burundi later Friday after concluding his visit.
Ukraine rejects allegations
Responding to the remarks, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically denied the accusations.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said: 'Lavrov's claims that Ukraine backs M23 in eastern DR Congo are Kremlin disinformation, unsupported by evidence. We officially refute and reject such accusations.'
He added: 'Ukraine doesn't meddle in African conflicts. Russia does – arming groups in breach of sanctions, fueling instability, and recruiting nationals of African states to fight in its war against Ukraine.'
The spokesperson continued: 'Moscow accusing others of what it does itself, nothing new.'
According to Tykhyi, Russia's accusations are intended to shift attention away from its own actions.
'Russia's objective is clear: to undermine US mediation efforts in the Great Lakes region and to distract from Russia's own destructive actions that obstruct the peace process.'
Wider regional context
The exchange comes against the backdrop of the long-running conflict in eastern DRC, where M23 says it is fighting to protect the rights and security of Congolese Tutsi communities, arguing that successive Congolese governments failed to implement previous peace agreements that guaranteed their protection and political inclusion as Congolese citizens.
The DRC government, however, has relied on a coalition of forces to fight the M23 rebel group. Besides the Congolese army (FARDC), the coalition has included Burundian troops deployed under bilateral security arrangements between Kinshasa and Gitega (the capital of Burundi), local militia groups known as Wazalendo, and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
The FDLR was founded by individuals linked to the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Rwanda has repeatedly accused the group of continuing to threaten its security, while Congolese Tutsi communities have also accused the FDLR of carrying out attacks against them in eastern DRC.
The conflict has also drawn in private military contractors. Following M23's capture of Goma in early 2025, more than 200 foreign mercenaries, most of them Romanian nationals fighting alongside Congolese government forces, were captured by M23.
They were later transferred through Rwanda and repatriated to their home countries under arrangements involving regional and international actors.
In his message, Xi said that in 1961, the older generations of leaders of China and the DPRK signed the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, laying an important political and legal foundation for consolidating the friendship forged in blood between the two peoples.
The treaty has played an important role in carrying forward China-DPRK friendship and safeguarding peace and stability in the region and beyond, he said.
Over the past 65 years, the two sides have upheld the spirit of the treaty, supported each other, stood united, cooperated closely and worked together, vividly demonstrating the defining features of China-DPRK relations — friendship passed down from generation to generation, a shared future and mutual support, he said.
Xi pointed to a successful state visit to the DPRK in June, when he reached important consensus with Kim on consolidating and carrying forward the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK and enriching it with new dimensions, providing strategic guidance and a new blueprint for the development of China-DPRK relations in the new era.
Facing a rapidly evolving world undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, Xi voiced willingness to work with Kim to further strengthen strategic communication, keep China-DPRK relations on the right track and guide bilateral friendly cooperation to deliver greater benefits to the two peoples, so as to make positive contributions to promoting regional peace and development.
No matter how the international landscape evolves, the firm position of China's Party and government to attach great importance to the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK will remain unchanged; the firm support for Kim in leading the DPRK's socialist cause will remain unchanged; and the determination to safeguard the common interests of both sides and maintain a favorable strategic environment will remain unchanged, he said.
Xi expressed confidence that, under the leadership of the WPK headed by Kim, the DPRK people will fully implement the decisions and arrangements of the Ninth Congress of the WPK and continue to achieve new and greater successes in their socialist cause.
