North Korea and China Reaffirm Strong Ties on Friendship Treaty Anniversary

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping have exchanged congratulatory messages marking the 65th anniversary of a bilateral friendship treaty. The treaty, signed in 1961, aims to promote friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance between the two socialist nations.

In his message to Xi, Kim expressed his desire to develop relations with China into ‘a model of the strongest and most strategic relations between socialist countries.’ He highlighted the significance of Xi’s state visit to Pyongyang in June, which he said reaffirmed their determination to build a brighter future for the people of both countries while advancing the socialist cause.

China’s Commitment to North Korea Remains Unchanged

Xi Jinping, in his response, emphasized his commitment to strengthening strategic communication and guiding bilateral cooperation to bring greater benefits to the people of both countries and contribute to regional peace and development. He noted that his visit to North Korea produced an important consensus on preserving the traditional friendship between the two countries and giving it new significance for the current era.

Xi added that China’s commitment to its relationship with North Korea would remain unchanged regardless of developments in the international situation. He acknowledged the complex international environment and unstable regional security conditions, which have further highlighted the nature and significance of the treaty.

A North Korean party and government delegation led by Premier Pak Thae-song arrived in China on Friday for a three-day visit to attend events commemorating the treaty anniversary. During their visit, Pak met with Xi and conveyed greetings from Kim. North Korean Ambassador to China Ri Ryong-nam also marked the anniversary, describing the friendship between the two countries as a strategic choice made by their ruling parties and peoples and a valuable shared asset.

North Korea’s Ambassador to China Reflects on the Treaty’s Significance

In an article published by China’s People’s Daily, Ri noted that then-North Korean Premier Kim Il Sung and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai signed the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance on July 11, 1961. He wrote that the friendship between North Korea and China will continue without interruption like the waters of the Yalu River and will be passed down through generations.

Ri emphasized that the people of the two countries have remained closely connected under the spirit of the treaty over the past 65 years, sharing hardships and deepening their solidarity and friendship. He said that the two countries should strengthen unity as they advance their socialist systems and firmly defend their sovereignty, right to development, and security interests.

The special nature of North Korea-China relations lies not only in their traditional friendship but also in advancing their shared socialist cause and carrying it forward from generation to generation, Ri said. He added that strengthening bilateral relations as a model for ties between socialist countries was Kim’s firm intention.