July 11 (Asia Today) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages Saturday marking the 65th anniversary of a bilateral friendship treaty and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic ties.

Kim said in his message to Xi that North Korea was willing to develop relations with China into “a model of the strongest and most strategic relations between socialist countries,” according to the Korean Central News Agency.

Referring to Xi’s state visit to Pyongyang in June, Kim said the “historic meeting in Pyongyang” reaffirmed their determination to build a brighter future for the people of both countries while advancing the socialist cause.

Xi said in his message that he was willing to strengthen strategic communication and guide bilateral cooperation so it would bring greater benefits to the people of both countries and contribute to regional peace and development.

Xi said his visit to North Korea produced an important consensus on preserving the traditional friendship between the two countries and giving it new significance for the current era.

He added that China’s commitment to its relationship with North Korea would remain unchanged regardless of developments in the international situation.

A North Korean party and government delegation led by Premier Pak Thae-song arrived in China on Friday for a three-day visit to attend events commemorating the treaty anniversary.

KCNA said Pak met Xi after arriving in Beijing and conveyed greetings from Kim.

North Korean Ambassador to China Ri Ryong-nam also marked the anniversary Saturday, describing the friendship between the two countries as a strategic choice made by their ruling parties and peoples and a valuable shared asset.

In an article published by China’s People’s Daily, Ri noted that then-North Korean Premier Kim Il Sung and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai signed the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance on July 11, 1961.

“The friendship between North Korea and China will continue without interruption like the waters of the Yalu River and will be passed down through generations,” Ri wrote.

Ri said the people of the two countries had remained closely connected under the spirit of the treaty over the past 65 years, sharing hardships and deepening their solidarity and friendship.

He said the two countries should strengthen unity as they advance their socialist systems and firmly defend their sovereignty, right to development and security interests.

“The special nature of North Korea-China relations lies not only in their traditional friendship but also in advancing their shared socialist cause and carrying it forward from generation to generation,” Ri said.

He added that strengthening bilateral relations as a model for ties between socialist countries was Kim’s firm intention.

Ri said the complex international environment and unstable regional security conditions had further highlighted the nature and significance of the treaty.

He said preserving the treaty’s principles and developing a strategic relationship centered on socialism remained the firm position of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party and government.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: