Xi replies to Kim's National Day message, pledges closer China-North Korea ties
Version 2: Corrected attributions of dates and the summit location; no change in the news itself.
In short
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a reply, dated 20 October, to a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un marking China's 77th National Day, North Korean media reported on 22 October. Xi said the two countries have long protected and helped each other and that China is ready to expand cooperation with North Korea.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un marking the 77th anniversary of China's founding, North Korean media reported on 22 October. Yonhap and SBS said the Korean Central News Agency carried the report, while Newsis cited the Rodong Sinmun. Yonhap and SBS said the reply was sent on 20 October and reaffirmed the will to strengthen friendly relations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
In the reply, Xi said the two countries are linked by mountains and rivers. He said that being friendly across generations, sharing a common fate and protecting and helping each other has been a clear feature of their relations from the start. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Xi also assessed the June summit, saying it produced a series of important shared understandings on deepening relations and further strengthened strategic guidance. He said China is ready to work with North Korea to honour traditional friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation and keep communication and coordination close, to improve the well-being of both peoples and contribute to peace and development in the region and the world. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Yonhap and SBS reported that Xi also expressed support for North Korea's system. They quoted him as saying he is pleased to see North Korea open a new, comprehensive period of socialist development, and that he trusts its socialist cause will keep opening new horizons under the firm leadership of the Workers' Party headed by Kim. Newsis did not include these remarks. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Yonhap and SBS said Kim had sent his message to Xi on 1 October, highlighting the blood-alliance relationship between the two countries and stressing a will to develop their traditional friendly relations and defend common interests. [ 1 , 2 ]
On background, the outlets said relations cooled for a time in 2024 as North Korea and Russia grew closer. SBS and Newsis placed the June summit in Pyongyang. Yonhap and SBS said ties have been recovering since Kim attended China's victory parade and Xi visited North Korea this year, and Newsis dated Kim's attendance to September last year. Yonhap and SBS said the two countries opened the New Yalu River Bridge this month; Newsis said it formally opened on 15 October, 12 years after completion, and that it signals wider economic and trade exchange between the two countries. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The reply shows both leaders continuing to stress friendly ties after their June summit. South Korean outlets describe relations as recovering after a cool period in 2024, with a new bridge between the two countries opened this month.
Key facts
- Xi Jinping sent the reply on 20 October, according to Yonhap and SBS, to a message from Kim Jong Un marking China's National Day, the 77th anniversary of the country's founding. [ 1 , 2 ]
- North Korean media reported the reply on 22 October: Yonhap and SBS cite the Korean Central News Agency, Newsis cites the Rodong Sinmun newspaper. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Xi said the two countries are linked by mountains and rivers and that being friendly across generations, sharing a common fate and protecting and helping each other has been a clear feature of their relations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Xi said the June summit produced a series of important shared understandings on deepening relations and further strengthened strategic guidance. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Xi said China is ready to work with North Korea to consolidate political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation and keep communication and coordination close. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Yonhap and SBS reported that Xi also expressed support for North Korea's system and said he trusts its socialist cause will keep opening new horizons under the Workers' Party led by Kim. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Kim's message to Xi was sent on 1 October, according to Yonhap and SBS. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Xi Jinping replied to Kim Jong Un's National Day message, and the reply was reported on 22 October by North Korean media. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Xi said the June summit produced important shared understandings and strengthened strategic guidance. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The New Yalu River Bridge between North Korea and China has opened. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Which North Korean outlet carried the reply first. Yonhap and SBS cite the Korean Central News Agency, while Newsis cites the Rodong Sinmun.
- When Kim attended the Chinese military parade. Newsis says September last year; Yonhap and SBS give no date.
- Whether Xi's remarks on support for North Korea's leadership appear in the full text of the reply. Only Yonhap and SBS report them; Newsis does not mention them.