The leaders of North Korea and China shared messages vowing to strengthen cooperation on the anniversary of their treaty of friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance between the two countries, North Korea’s media outlet reported on Sunday.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in a message to China’s Xi Jinping that their relationship is vital in the face of hostile foreign forces, while Xi promised to bring cooperation “to a new stage.”
China has been North Korea’s only major ally since the two signed the treaty in 1961, and international sanctions imposed over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs have made it more dependent than ever on Beijing for trade and other support.
“Despite the unprecedentedly complicated international situation in recent years the comradely trust and militant friendship between the DPRK and China get stronger day by day,” Kim said in his message, North Korean media reported, using the initials for North Korea’s official name.
The treaty is defending socialism and peace in Asia “now that the hostile forces become more desperate in their challenge and obstructive moves,” Kim added.
Xi’s message said, “he plans to provide greater happiness to the two countries and their people by strengthening communication with Kim and by steadily leading the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries to a new stage.”
Ties between the two nations have fluctuated over the years due to North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. The relationship has been rekindled in recent years, as Xi and Kim have met five times.
