China North Korea File photo: IC

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, exchanged congratulatory messages on Sunday with Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, also chairman of the State Affairs Commission and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on the 60th anniversary of the signing of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.

Xi said that the treaty serves as an important political and legal foundation for the two countries to consolidate friendship and promote friendly cooperation, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

Xi said he's willing to strengthen strategic communication with Kim, grasp the direction of China-DPRK relations, and take bilateral friendly cooperation to a new stage that will benefit both countries. 

Kim, in return, said that facing the complicated and changing international situation, the two sides' trust and friendship have deepened and bilateral ties reached a new level. 

Kim said it is a firm stance of the Workers' Party of Korea and DPRK government to keep enhancing and improving friendship and cooperation with China.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday also exchanged congratulatory messages with his North Korean counterpart Ri Son-gwon on the 60th anniversary of the signing of the treaty. 

Global Times