Xi calls two countries socialist neighbors sharing a common destiny
Putin vows to further cement comprehensive strategic partnership
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin sent congratulatory messages to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un marking the 78th anniversary of the North's founding. The messages reaffirmed their strategic ties with Pyongyang.
In his message, Xi said he was willing to continue strengthening the strategic guidance of relations between the two parties and countries, according to KCNA on Wednesday. He added that China would work hand in hand with North Korea to advance each other's party and state development projects, promoting the welfare and friendship of the two peoples. Xi said this would also help contribute to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world.
Referring to his visit to Pyongyang in June, Xi said, "I met with you (Chairman Kim) again and opened a new chapter in the development of relations between our two parties and two countries."
"China and North Korea are friendly socialist neighbors who protect and help each other and share a common destiny," he added. "Upholding, consolidating and developing China-North Korea relations well is the consistent and unwavering policy of the Chinese party and government."
Xi also said China was "truly delighted" that Kim had achieved development results by devoting himself to economic and social construction in recent months.
In his own message, sent Tuesday, Putin said, "Without doubt, I will continue working most closely together with you (Kim Jong-un) to further consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership between our states."
He said such cooperation "fully serves the interests of the peoples of the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, guarantees regional security, and contributes to establishing a new, more just and multipolar world order."
The congratulatory messages from Xi and Putin were carried on the front page of the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper read by North Korean residents. Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Mongolia, Sweden, Belarus, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, Singapore and Equatorial Guinea also sent messages that day emphasizing friendly relations with North Korea.
Meanwhile, North Korea launched a government led by Kim Il-sung as its Cabinet head on Sept. 9, 1948, and marks that day as the founding anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
rimsclub@heraldcorp.com
