China’s Xi Jinping Replies to Kim Jong Un: “Sharing a Common Fate and Protecting Each Other”

In a reply message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his willingness to strengthen political trust and expand practical cooperation. Following reciprocal visits by the two countries' leaders and the opening of the New Yalu River Bridge, ties between North Korea and China appear to be gaining momentum.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping before their bilateral meeting during his visit to China on Sept. 4, 2025. Yonhap News Agency

According to North Korea's Rodong Sinmun on Oct. 22, Xi sent a reply on Oct. 20 to a congratulatory message from Kim marking the 77th anniversary of China's National Day. Xi said, "The two countries, China and the DPRK, are connected by mountains and rivers. Their friendly ties, passed down through generations, and their practice of sharing a common destiny, protecting and helping each other have always been distinctive features of China-DPRK relations."

Xi also mentioned his meeting with Kim during his visit to North Korea in June. He said the two sides had "reached a series of important shared understandings on deepening and developing China-DPRK relations and further strengthened strategic guidance."

He added, "China is willing to work with the DPRK to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries, consolidate political mutual trust, expand and develop practical cooperation, and maintain close communication and coordination, thereby improving the well-being of the peoples of both countries and making active contributions to peace and development in the region and the world."

Xi also expressed support for North Korea's socialist path. "We are pleased to see the DPRK ushering in a new phase of comprehensive socialist development," he said, adding that North Korea's socialist cause would open up a new chapter under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea, headed by Kim. He also wished Kim good health and North Korea prosperity.

Earlier, in a congratulatory message marking China's National Day on Oct. 1, Kim expressed his commitment to developing the two countries' traditional friendship and safeguarding their shared interests.

Observers had said that North Korea-China relations had grown distant at one point amid the COVID-19 pandemic and closer ties between North Korea and Russia during the war in Ukraine. However, high-level exchanges have continued, including Kim's attendance at China's Victory Day military parade in September 2025 and Xi's visit to North Korea in June 2026, appearing to accelerate the restoration of ties.

Economic and trade exchanges are also expanding alongside leader-level engagement. The New Yalu River Bridge, which connects Sinuiju in North Korea with Dandong in China, officially opened on Oct. 15, 12 years after its completion. Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in his remarks at the opening ceremony that he hoped economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries would expand.

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