{"id":20008,"date":"2026-07-11T12:38:47","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T06:53:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=20008"},"modified":"2026-07-11T12:38:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T06:53:47","slug":"xi-kim-pledge-stronger-strategic-ties-on-65th-anniversary-of-china-dprk-friendship-treaty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=20008","title":{"rendered":"Xi, Kim Pledge Stronger Strategic Ties on 65th Anniversary of China\u2013DPRK Friendship Treaty<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dragon Media News Desk<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People\u2019s Republic of Korea, exchanged congratulatory messages on Saturday to mark the 65th anniversary of the signing of the China\u2013DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, reaffirming their commitment to advancing bilateral relations to a new strategic level.<\/p>\n

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Kim, general secretary of the Workers\u2019 Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, highlighted traditional friendship, strategic coordination, practical cooperation and regional peace in their messages.<\/p>\n

Xi said the treaty, signed by the older generations of leaders of the two countries in 1961, had provided an important political and legal foundation for consolidating the friendship forged through the struggles and sacrifices of the Chinese and DPRK peoples.<\/p>\n

He said the treaty had played a significant role in safeguarding and developing China\u2013DPRK friendship, while contributing to regional and global peace and stability.<\/p>\n

Over the past 65 years, the two sides have upheld the spirit of the treaty, supported each other and strengthened solidarity and cooperation, Xi said. Their relationship, he added, had demonstrated the enduring nature of a friendship passed down through generations and the two countries\u2019 readiness to assist each other in difficult circumstances.<\/p>\n

Recalling his state visit to the DPRK in June, Xi said he and Kim had reached important agreements on preserving their traditional friendship while giving bilateral relations new substance suited to the current era.<\/p>\n

Amid rapid changes in the international environment and the global balance of power, the two countries should maintain close high-level strategic communication and ensure that bilateral relations continue to move in the correct direction, Xi said.<\/p>\n

He stressed that China\u2013DPRK cooperation should benefit the peoples of both countries and make a positive contribution to regional peace and development.<\/p>\n

Xi said China\u2019s policy of attaching great importance to its traditional friendship with the DPRK would remain unchanged. Beijing\u2019s support for the DPRK\u2019s socialist development under Kim\u2019s leadership would also continue, he added, as would China\u2019s determination to safeguard the two countries\u2019 shared interests and a favourable strategic environment.<\/p>\n

Xi also expressed confidence that, under the leadership of the Workers\u2019 Party of Korea, the DPRK people would implement the decisions adopted at the party\u2019s Ninth Congress and achieve further progress in socialist construction.<\/p>\n

In his message, Kim said the treaty concluded 65 years ago had created a strong legal foundation for maintaining the militant friendship and mutual assistance developed between the two countries during their common struggle for independence, peace and socialism against imperialism.<\/p>\n

He said China\u2013DPRK relations were distinguished by their traditional friendship, shared socialist objectives and firm commitment to preserving the relationship across generations.<\/p>\n

Despite historical changes and international uncertainty, the two countries had continued to support each other and maintain close cooperation, Kim said.<\/p>\n

He described China\u2013DPRK friendship as a strategic choice and a valuable common asset of the two parties and peoples.<\/p>\n

According to Kim, bilateral relations are developing at a new strategic level and are helping the two countries safeguard their sovereignty, security and development interests amid an increasingly complex international environment.<\/p>\n

The Workers\u2019 Party of Korea and the DPRK government remain committed to expanding socialist-oriented friendship with China in all fields in accordance with changing circumstances and the aspirations of the two peoples, he said.<\/p>\n

Kim also expressed his willingness to work with Xi to develop the relationship into a model of strong and strategic cooperation between socialist countries.<\/p>\n

Historical Importance of the 1961 Treaty<\/strong><\/p>\n

The China\u2013DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance was signed in Beijing on July 11, 1961, by then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and DPRK Premier Kim Il Sung.<\/p>\n

The treaty established a framework for political and security cooperation while also promoting collaboration in economic, technical, cultural and scientific fields.<\/p>\n

It includes a provision under which one party must provide military and other forms of assistance if the other is placed in a state of war as a result of an external armed attack. International media have frequently described it as China\u2019s only remaining formal mutual defence treaty.<\/p>\n

China, however, has consistently emphasised the treaty\u2019s broader political, economic and peace-oriented purposes alongside its security provisions.<\/p>\n

In Beijing\u2019s official interpretation, the treaty is not directed against any third party but serves as a historic foundation for protecting the sovereignty and development of both countries and maintaining regional stability.<\/p>\n

High-Level Commemorative Events in Beijing<\/strong><\/p>\n

A party and government delegation led by DPRK Premier Pak Thae Song visited China from July 10 to 12 at the invitation of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Chinese government.<\/p>\n

The delegation participated in commemorative activities in Beijing marking the treaty\u2019s anniversary.<\/p>\n

Xi met Pak at the Great Hall of the People on Friday and said the two countries should preserve strategic stability and confidence amid a complex international environment.<\/p>\n

He called for the rapid implementation of agreements reached with Kim and for expanded cooperation in economic, social and people-to-people fields.<\/p>\n

Pak conveyed Kim\u2019s greetings to Xi and said the treaty had provided a strong legal guarantee for bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.<\/p>\n

He said the DPRK supported China\u2019s position on Taiwan and other issues concerning Beijing\u2019s core interests and would work to raise bilateral unity and the socialist causes of both countries to a new level.<\/p>\n

A special reception was also held in Beijing in the presence of senior Communist Party of China leader Cai Qi and Pak.<\/p>\n

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to carrying forward the friendship established by earlier generations of leaders and deepening cooperation between their parties and governments and in the economic, cultural, educational and people-to-people sectors.<\/p>\n

The exchange of messages between Xi and Kim, together with the high-level commemorative events, demonstrated that China\u2013DPRK relations are not confined to historical remembrance.<\/p>\n

Instead, the relationship is increasingly being linked to strategic coordination, national development and regional stability in a rapidly changing international environment.<\/p>\n

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