Chinese President Xi Jinping said Beijing’s commitment to North Korea and its leader Kim Jong-un was “unwavering” on Monday.The trip is Xi’s first foreign visit of the year, and during his talks with Kim in the afternoon, Xi expressed strong support for the North Korean leader.“No matter how the international situation changes, the firm stance of the Chinese [Communist] Party and government in highly valuing the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] will not change,” Xi told Kim, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.“The unwavering support for the socialist cause of the DPRK led by Comrade General Secretary Kim Jong-un will not change; and the firm determination to safeguard the common interests and favourable strategic environment of both China and the DPRK will not change,” Xi said.He called for stronger exchanges at all levels in areas such as foreign policy, law enforcement and the military.Xi described Asia as the foundation of survival and development for China and North Korea.Without mentioning denuclearisation, he also urged the two sides to step up their strategic coordination and collaboration to “firmly safeguard their own sovereignty, security and development”.