This archive report was first published on 9 May 2020.
On May 9, 2020, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed concern over the threat of the coronavirus to North Korea and offered aid to the country.
Xi Jinping's offer came in response to a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who congratulated him on China's apparent success in fighting Covid-19.
North Korea's government has maintained that there have been no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country, despite analysts questioning the possibility.
North Korea was the first country to suspend tourism and shut its borders in response to the virus, in the third week of January.
The country's fragile health system has raised concerns that it could be overwhelmed by even a small outbreak of Covid-19.
Xi Jinping called for increased cooperation in preventing the spread of the coronavirus and offered to provide assistance to North Korea within its capacity.
