North Korean and Chinese Leaders Exchange Messages on 65th Treaty Anniversary: "Strengthening Strategic Cooperation"

Close Ties Reaffirmed Following Last Month's Summit in Pyongyang

The leaders of North Korea and China have exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the 65th anniversary of the signing of the North Korea-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership.

According to the Korean Central News Agency on July 11, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stated in his message to Chinese President Xi Jinping that he would further develop the friendship between North Korea and China as “the strongest and most strategic example of relations between socialist countries.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who completed a two-day state visit, were seen conversing before boarding a private plane at Pyongyang International Airport on the 9th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Kim also referenced President Xi’s state visit to Pyongyang last month, emphasizing that the two nations had reaffirmed their determination to jointly build the future of socialism and the well-being of their peoples.

President Xi, in his message, also expressed his intention to strengthen strategic communication with North Korea and contribute to the development of bilateral relations and regional peace. He stated that regardless of changes in the international situation, the position of the Chinese Party and government in valuing the friendship with North Korea would remain unchanged.

High-level exchanges between North Korea and China have also continued. Pak Tae-song, the North Korean Premier, who visited China to attend the ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the treaty, met with President Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the previous day to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral strategic cooperation and the development of their socialist cause.

However, the two countries' media outlets reported some remarks differently. China's Xinhua News Agency reported that Premier Pak expressed support for China’s core interests, including the Taiwan issue, but North Korean media did not mention this. In addition, President Xi’s comments on China's national modernization, which were reported by Xinhua, were omitted in North Korea’s coverage.

The North Korean delegation led by Premier Pak has been meeting with senior Chinese officials and attending commemorative events, further enhancing the atmosphere of close cooperation between the two countries. North Korea's Rodong Sinmun also described the friendship with China as a major strategic endeavor of the North Korean Party and government in an editorial.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.