China and North Korea are marking the 75th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties. The leaders shared vows to strengthen bilateral co-operation.
The two countries are traditional socialist allies. Beijing has long provided important diplomatic support to Pyongyang’s government in the face of international sanctions. On the occasion of the anniversary, the countries’ state media reported that Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un exchanged congratulatory messages.
According to state news agency Xinhua, the Chinese leader said: “China is willing to work with the North Korean side…. to strengthen strategic communication and coordination, deepen friendly exchanges and cooperation, (and) write a new chapter in the traditional bilateral friendship.”
“I attach great importance to the development of the China-DPRK relations and have jointly led and promoted the in-depth development of the China-DPRK relations while maintaining close communications with you, Comrade General Secretary, through several meetings and personal letters and messages in recent years,” the Chinese president said in his message to the North Korean leader.
Jinping added that Beijing and Pyongyang “have worked closely to promote regional peace and stability, and uphold international fairness and justice,” Xinhua reported.
North Korea’s state news agency KCNA reported that Kim said Pyongyang “will steadily strive to consolidate and develop the friendly and cooperative relations between North Korea and China.”
The two countries share a history dating back to Beijing’s support for Pyongyang during the 1950-1953 Korean War. Besides, China is North Korea’s largest trading partner; Pyongyang relies heavily on Chinese firms and banks to bypass international sanctions and bolster its military might and economy. The boost in diplomatic relations came shortly after the lifting of years of border restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
