Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to deepen friendly cooperation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as the two exchanged messages to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations between their nations. China and North Korea, long-standing socialist allies, have maintained a close relationship, with Beijing offering crucial support to Pyongyang, particularly as the North remains diplomatically isolated on the global stage.
In messages reported by state media on both sides, Xi expressed a desire to strengthen ties between the two countries.
“China is willing to work with the North Korean side… to strengthen strategic communication and coordination, deepen friendly exchanges and cooperation, (and) write a new chapter in the traditional bilateral friendship,” Xi said, according to China’s Xinhua News Agency.
He added that both nations have cooperated to promote regional peace and uphold international fairness and justice.
North Korea’s KCNA news agency reported that Kim reiterated his nation’s commitment to strengthening the bond with China, stating that Pyongyang will steadily strive to consolidate and develop the friendly and cooperative relations between the two nations.
Diplomatic relations between China and North Korea have intensified since the countries lifted pandemic-era border restrictions. Analysts note that Pyongyang heavily depends on China for economic support and to navigate international sanctions, which have been imposed on North Korea over its nuclear programme.
In recent months, North Korea has also strengthened its ties with Russia, providing support for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. This development has added complexity to Pyongyang’s foreign relations amid its deepening cooperation with China.