Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin sent congratulatory messages to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the 9th, the 78th anniversary of the founding of the North Korean government, emphasizing their strategic ties with Pyongyang.
According to North Korean media including the Korean Central News Agency, Xi said in his message that he would "continue to strengthen strategic guidance of relations between the two parties and the two countries, and work hand in hand to drive forward the development of each party and each country's undertakings."
Referring to his visit to Pyongyang in June, Xi said he had "met with you again and opened a new chapter in the development of relations between the two parties and the two countries," adding that he was "ready to work to make a greater contribution to continuously advancing the well-being and friendship of the peoples of the two countries and to promoting peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world."
Xi also stressed that "China and North Korea are friendly socialist neighbors that protect and help each other and share a common destiny," and that "safeguarding, consolidating and developing China-North Korea relations is a consistent and unshakable policy of the Chinese party and government."
Putin, in a message sent the previous day, said, "Without a doubt, I will continue the closest joint work with you to further consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership between our states." He added that this "fully accords with the interests of the peoples of the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and will contribute to ensuring regional security and establishing a more just, multipolar new world order."
The messages from Xi and Putin were carried on the front page of Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper read by North Korean citizens. Along with China and Russia, countries including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Mongolia, Sweden, Belarus, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, Singapore and Equatorial Guinea sent congratulatory messages marking the anniversary.
