Insights into China-DPRK ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that relations between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or the DPRK, stand at a new historical starting point. He made the remarks while attending a welcome banquet hosted by DPRK leader Kim Jong Un. Kim noted that the two sides have reached consensus on advancing bilateral relations amid evolving circumstances. The visit comes at a significant moment in China-DPRK relations. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the two countries. Beijing and Pyongyang have described the visit as an opportunity to strengthen strategic communication, deepen cooperation, and chart the future course of bilateral ties. What does this visit tell us about the current state of China-DPRK relations? What do phrases such as "a new historical starting point" mean for the future of the relationship? And how might the two countries expand cooperation in the years ahead?