By The South Asia Times

SEOUL - Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to strengthening ties with North Korea, pledging closer political coordination and expanded cooperation between the two neighbouring countries, according to North Korean state media.

Xi sent a reply message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on October 20, thanking him for his greetings on the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Sunday.

In the message, Xi said China and North Korea shared a longstanding friendship rooted in their geographical proximity, historical ties and mutual support.

The two countries were “defending and helping each other while sharing their destiny,” Xi said, describing this relationship as a defining feature of bilateral ties across generations.

Xi also recalled his state visit to North Korea in June, during which he met Kim and reached what he described as important understandings on developing bilateral relations and strengthening strategic guidance.

“China is ready to work with the DPRK side to add lustre to the traditional China-DPRK friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, expand and develop working-level cooperation,” Xi said, according to KCNA.

He added that closer communication and coordination between the two countries could improve the well-being of their peoples and contribute positively to regional and global peace and development.

- Xi praises North Korea's socialist development

The Chinese president also expressed support for North Korea's development under the leadership of Kim and the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

Xi said Beijing was pleased to see North Korea entering a new phase of comprehensive socialist development and expressed confidence that the country's socialist cause would continue to advance under Kim's leadership.

He also wished Kim good health and success in his work, while expressing hopes for North Korea's prosperity and the well-being of its people.

In the message, Xi highlighted China's own development since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949, crediting the Communist Party of China with the country's economic growth and long-term social stability.

He said China was continuing efforts to build a modern and powerful socialist country.

- Strategic ties between Beijing and Pyongyang

The exchange of messages underscores efforts by Beijing and Pyongyang to maintain close political relations amid shifting regional and international dynamics.

China has historically been North Korea's most important diplomatic and economic partner, while the two countries share a border and longstanding political ties dating back to the Korean War.

Their relationship also has broader implications for regional security, particularly as tensions persist over North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes and the wider strategic competition involving the United States and its regional allies.