Xi, Kim hail China-DPRK friendly ties

President Xi Jinping on Sunday exchanged congratulatory messages with Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, underscoring the commitment to further develop the traditional friendship between the two neighbors.

China and the DPRK officially established diplomatic relations on Oct 6, 1949, five days after the founding of the People's Republic of China, which Xi said in the message opened a new chapter in the history of bilateral relations and is of epoch-making significance.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that over the past 75 years, the two countries have supported each other in consolidating people's power and safeguarding national sovereignty, strengthening exchanges and cooperation and advancing socialist construction. They have also worked closely to promote regional peace and stability and safeguard international equity and justice.

The traditional friendship between China and the DPRK has stood the test of changing times and global challenges, becoming a valuable asset for both countries and their people, he added.

Xi stressed that he highly values the development of bilateral relations and has jointly guided and promoted the development of China-DPRK relations with Kim, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK.

In recent years, the two leaders have held five historic meetings and maintained close communication through letters and messages. Kim sent a message of congratulations to Xi last week on the occasion of the 75th founding anniversary of New China and last month Xi sent a congratulatory message to Kim on the 76th anniversary of the DPRK's founding.

The two leaders also exchanged messages of New Year greetings at the beginning of the year and jointly announced the designation of 2024 as the China-DPRK Friendship Year and launched a series of activities.

Under the new circumstances of the new era, Xi said in Sunday's message that China is willing to work with the DPRK to take the 75th anniversary as an opportunity to strengthen strategic communication and coordination, deepen friendly exchanges and cooperation, and continue to write new chapters in the China-DPRK traditional friendship, in order to jointly promote the steady and long-term development of the two countries' socialist cause and bring more benefits to their people.

In his message, Kim said that 75 years ago, the DPRK and China officially established diplomatic relations, and bilateral friendly relations have since entered a new stage of historical development.

Over the past 75 years, the two parties and countries have upheld their firm belief in the legitimacy of their causes, overcoming various tests and challenges, and advancing courageously on the path of socialism, Kim said.

It is in the fundamental interests of both countries to continuously carry forward and develop the DPRK-China friendship with a time-honored history and fine tradition, he added.

The DPRK's party and government will continue to make efforts to consolidate and develop friendly and cooperative relations with China as required by the new era, Kim said.

Kim also expressed his wish that the Chinese people, under the leadership of the CPC with Xi at its core, will continue to make new achievements in building a modern socialist country in all respects.

Xinhua contributed to this story.