Xi, Putin Reaffirm Ties With North Korea on Founding Anniversary
Chinese and Russian leaders sent anniversary messages to North Korea, vowing to deepen ties and cooperation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have sent congratulatory messages to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the occasion of the country's 78th founding anniversary, reaffirming their commitment to close strategic ties with Pyongyang.
According to North Korea's state media KCNA, Xi expressed willingness to continue strengthening strategic guidance of China-North Korea relations and to work with Kim to advance the development of both countries. He emphasized that strengthening and developing bilateral ties remains the consistent and unwavering policy of the Chinese ruling party and government.
In a separate message, Putin said he would continue the closest joint work with Kim to further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea. He added that stronger ties between the two countries would contribute to regional security and a more just, multipolar world order.
The messages were prominently featured on the front page of Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party.
KCNA also reported that Kim received congratulatory messages from leaders of several other countries, including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Mongolia, Sweden, Belarus, Singapore, Switzerland, and Zimbabwe, as North Korea marked the September 9 anniversary of its founding in 1948.