China’s ambassador to North Korea on Saturday visited Pyongyang’s preeminent training ground for taekwondo, praising the martial art with “a history of more than 2,000 years” that reflects the “perseverance and resilience of the North Korean people,” according to a news release from the Chinese embassy.

Chinese Ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun and North Korea Taekwondo Committee Secretary General Pak Yeong Guk watched a taekwondo demonstration from North Korean martial artists in the Taekwondo Hall in Pyongyang and reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to promoting the unarmed sport, the release said.

Pak said North Korea’s taekwondo demonstration team has visited