Kim Jong-un and Xi Jinping Exchange Letters on 60th Anniversary of North Korea-China Friendship Treaty, Emphasizing North Korea-China Relations

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, and Xi Jinping, President of China, exchanged letters on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the North Korea-China Friendship Treaty, expressing the development of North Korea-China relations.

On the 11th, the Korean Central News Agency released the full text of the letters exchanged between General Secretary Kim and President Xi on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the 'Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance between North Korea and China,' emphasizing the importance of North Korea-China relations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Workers' Party of Korea's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, also published an editorial titled "Strengthening and Developing the Korea-China Friendship on the Socialist Path" on its front page that day, evaluating North Korea-China cooperation as "a powerful weapon that enables us to always achieve victory in the increasingly intense anti-imperialist struggle and the defense of socialism."

The editorial stated, "The current reality, in which imperialists are openly conspiring to isolate and crush socialist countries by uniting, demands that the two countries of North Korea and China unite and develop their friendship and cooperation in accordance with the spirit and principles of the treaty."

It continued, "No matter how time passes and landscapes change, the friendship and blood ties between the peoples of North Korea and China can never be shaken or weakened," emphasizing, "The noble tradition of Korea-China friendship, unprecedented in history, will continuously demonstrate its true value and vitality and persistently continue."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In his letter, President Xi stated, "Together with General Secretary Kim, I am willing to strengthen strategic communication, firmly grasp the forward direction of China-North Korea relations, and continuously lead the friendship and cooperation between our two countries to new stages, thereby bringing greater happiness to both our countries and peoples."

He also evaluated, "Over the past 60 years, both sides of China and North Korea have firmly supported each other, joined hands and shoulders in struggle according to the spirit of the treaty, strengthened the fraternal traditional friendship, promoted the cause of socialism, and safeguarded peace and stability in the region and the world."

He added, "Recently, through several meetings with General Secretary Kim, I have designed the prospects for the development of relations between our two parties and countries and reached a series of important joint understandings to enrich the contemporary content of China-North Korea friendship."

President Xi further stated, "China firmly supports North Korea in developing its economy and people's livelihood and vigorously advancing the cause of socialist construction."

General Secretary Kim also evaluated, "Despite the unprecedentedly complex and complicated international situation in recent years, the comradely trust and fighting friendship between North Korea and China have grown deeper day by day, and the traditional Korea-China friendship has received new momentum, comprehensively advancing to a higher level in all fields including politics, economy, military, and culture."

He especially emphasized, "The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance between North Korea and China is demonstrating even stronger vitality today in protecting and promoting the socialist cause of the two countries amid increasingly vicious challenges and disruptive acts by hostile forces, and in guaranteeing peace and stability in Asia and the world."

General Secretary Kim said, "In the future, we will cherish the precious common wealth of Korea-China friendship more than anything else and firmly join hands with the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government, and the Chinese people on the sacred path of building socialism and communism."

He added, "Continuously strengthening and developing the Korea-China friendship and cooperation in accordance with the new era's demands and the aspirations of the peoples of the two countries is the unwavering position of our party and government."