A | LONDON -- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has hailed deepening relations between Russia and North Korea during his two-day diplomatic trip to Pyongyang in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations.Lavrov arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday, flying from Beijing where he had been participating in the Belt and Road Initiative forum alongside President Vladimir Putin and other heads of state from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.Footage from Russian state television showed crowds greeting Lavrov in the rain upon his arrival in Pyongyang, alongside a welcoming party waving pompoms.
In this photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via their telegram channel, Korean leader Kim Jong Un, second right, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, second left, attend the talks in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.
Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP
Speaking at a formal reception hosted by the government of North Korea, Lavrov thanked North Korea for its "unwavering and principled support for Russia's actions in the context of the special military operation in Ukraine.""We are fully aware that many countries worldwide share similar viewpoints and assessments, but only a select few, such as the DPRK, explicitly declare their solidarity with Russia and can express it openly," said Lavrov. "This ability is a hallmark of nations and governments that are truly independent, prioritise their national interests, and not fall for the tricks played by our Western counterparts."Lavrov announced the Russian federation likewise extends its "complete support and solidarity" to North Korea's aspirations, hailing their "mutual solidarity and shared commitment.""Here's to our friendship!" said Lavrov.On Thursday, Lavrov was received by North Korea's Kim Jong Un, with Russian News Agency TASS reporting the meeting lasted over an hour. No further details were published.Lavrov also met with North Korea's Foreign Minister Choe Con Hui: "We can say confidently that these relations have reached a qualitatively new, strategic level," Lavrov said at the start of the meeting.As the flurry of diplomacy between Moscow and Pyongyang continues, Choe said she hopes the "frequent meetings between the foreign ministers of the two countries help strengthen comradely ties and serve as proof that [North] Korean-Russian bilateral relations with their long history of friendship demonstrate development dynamics, expanding with new vigor."The talks with Lavrov in North Korea "will become an important moment advancing the implementation of the agreements reached at the September summit" between Putin and Kim, she said.Lavrov's trip comes following the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and North Korea, and a month after the "historic summit" between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-Un at the Vostochny Cosmodrome.It comes days after the United States said North Korea had transferred munitions to Russia to boost its war-fighting capabilities. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby announced on Friday that North Korea has delivered over "1,000 containers" of munitions and military equipment to Russia.The containers are reported to have been shipped between Sept. 7 and Oct. 1 between Najin, North Korea, and Dunay, Russia, the White House said.Ending his two-day trip, Lavrov laid flowers at the memorial plaque to Andrey Karlov -- Russia's Ambassador to Turkey who previously served as Russia's Ambassador to North Korea who was assassinated in Ankara in 2016 -- at the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang.Lavrov held a meeting with the staff of the Russian embassy in North Korea, the final event of his stay.。
B | 本报讯 特约记者张振贺报道近日,由国家体育总局武术运动管理中心、中国武术协会、河南省体育局、登封市人民政府联合主办的第18届全国武术之乡武术套路比赛,在河南省登封市圆满落下帷幕。建昌县代表队凭借出色的技艺和顽强的拼搏精神,载誉而归,共获得银牌1枚,铜牌16枚。
全国武术之乡武术套路比赛作为国家级武术赛事,具有极高的赛事规格和广泛的影响力。
C | 本次比赛共设置了5个大项、81个小项,来自全国各地的92支代表队同场竞技。建昌县代表队由两名领队、1名教练员以及12名运动员组成,参加了3个大项、23个小项的比赛。比赛中,参赛队员们顽强拼搏,奋勇争先,充分展示了建昌县运动员扎实的武术功底和敢于拼搏的精神风貌。
建昌县武术之乡代表拳种少北拳教练张广文说:“虽然我们的成绩与其他代表队相比还有一定差距,但我们有信心在接下来的时间里,加大训练力度,不断总结和完善自己,争取在明年的比赛中取得更好的成绩,为建昌县武术之乡争光。”
建昌县全国武术之乡办公室主任张振兴表示,在这次国家级比赛中,建昌代表队在比赛中展现出了良好的风貌。希望建昌县全国武术之乡的武术爱好者能以这次比赛为契机,刻苦训练,认真钻研,争取在未来更多的武术比赛中取得更好的成绩。