North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged messages on July 11 reiterating their commitment to deepening strategic cooperation between the two countries on the 65th anniversary of their friendship treaty.
The Korean Central News Agency reported that the leaders pointed to changes in the international security situation and agreed to strengthen ties. Kim highlighted his readiness to develop the bilateral relationship into a model of the most powerful and strategic relations between socialist countries. Xi said he was ready to have closer strategic communication to cope with a rapidly changing world.
North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song led a delegation that arrived in Beijing on July 10 for a three-day visit to attend anniversary events. Xi met Pak on July 10 and said the two countries should ensure bilateral relations help solidify their socialist cause and boost modernization.
The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance was signed on July 11, 1961, by late North Korean founder Kim Il-sung and then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. The leaders held summit talks in Pyongyang last month. South Korea's Unification Ministry noted this marks the first such government delegation visit in seven years.
