Xi overlooks differences to stress China-North Korea ties in anniversary message

After months of fraying relations as Pyongyang moves closer to Moscow, the Chinese leader affirms willingness to deepen cooperation

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping during Xi’s visit to Pyongyang in 2019, the last time the two leaders met. Photo: Reuters

Published: 2:01pm, 9 Sep 2024Updated: 3:56pm, 9 Sep 2024

China is willing to deepen cooperation and “strategic communication” with North Korea, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday, amid signs of frayed ties in recent months between the two neighbours.

In a congratulatory message to leader Kim Jong-un on the 76th anniversary of North Korea’s founding, Xi said the Workers’ Party of Korea had united North Koreans and promoted “vigorous development” of the country.

Xi said Kim had led North Korea to achievements in construction and development. He also expressed the hope that Pyongyang would continue to “win new and greater victories in the journey of promoting the cause of Korean-style socialism”.

According to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, Xi noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea [DPRK] and said ties had “become stronger over time”.

“China will continue to view China-DPRK relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, and is willing to deepen strategic communication with the DPRK, [and] strengthen coordination and cooperation,” he said.

China is also ready to maintain and develop “traditional friendly and cooperative relations” with North Korea and to make “greater contributions to promoting peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world”, the report said.

The two leaders are last known to have communicated in January, when they exchanged New Year’s greetings.