North Korean military diplomats found themselves in the company of U.S. and South Korean counterparts during a soirée at the Chinese Embassy in Moscow last month, a relatively rare occurrence that highlighted Beijing’s efforts to stay on good terms with the rival states.

DPRK military attaché Ro Ki Chol and his deputy Hong Jong Chol attended the embassy’s banquet celebrating the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China on July 24, footage posted on Telegram showed, with the two officials appearing on the mission’s porch.