"North Korea and China Unite to Protect Shared Interests in High-Level Diplomatic Talks"

North Korea and China have agreed to strengthen tactical cooperation and defend common interests during a meeting between North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong. This comes as North Korea has been increasing its ties with China and Russia while facing heightened tensions with the United States and South Korea. Both China and Russia have shifted their stance to support Pyongyang's right to self-defense, despite previously voting against North Korea at the U.N. for its ballistic missile and nuclear programs.