What did Kim Jong-un say in his letter to Xi Jinping about North Korea-China relations?

Kim said he reaffirmed his stand to lead DPRK-China relations to a new strategic level together with Xi. He also said it is North Korea’s steadfast will to steadily develop the traditional relations of unity and cooperation with China.

Why did Kim Jong-un say North Korea and China should deepen their ties now?

Kim pointed to the 65th anniversary of the friendship treaty and said the two countries are promoting exchanges in all fields. He also referred to his recent meetings with Xi and said they had confirmed their will to build stronger strategic relations.

How long is Kim Jong-un’s National Day message to Xi compared with last year’s?

The message is nearly twice as long as the 2024 one, according to the report. Its tone has also shifted from stressing traditional friendship to calling for the most powerful and strategic relations.

N. Korea's Kim vows to bring bilateral ties to 'new strategic level' in letter to Xi

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Summary

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said in a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping that he wants bilateral ties to reach a new strategic level. He sent the message for China’s National Day and said the two countries are promoting exchanges in all fields. Kim also cited recent summits with Xi and North Korea’s reception in Pyongyang for the Chinese national day.

Key Facts

Kim said this year marks the 65th anniversary of the North Korea-China friendship treaty.
He described the history of DPRK-China friendship as something that can never be shaken by changes in the international situation.
Kim said his recent meetings with Xi last year and this year confirmed the two sides’ will to develop relations into the most powerful and strategic relations between socialist states.
North Korea hosted a reception in Pyongyang the previous day to mark China’s national day, attended by Chinese Ambassador Wang Yajun and embassy officials.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 1, 2026 9:32 am KST

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands ahead of their summit in Pyongyang, June 8, in this photo provided by China's foreign ministry. Yonhap

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Thursday reaffirms his commitment to lifting bilateral relations with China to a "new strategic level" in a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping marking China's National Day, Pyongyang's state media reported.

In the letter for the 77th anniversary of the country's founding, Kim extended "the warmest congratulations and best wishes" to Xi and the Chinese people, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

Kim noted the two countries marked the 65th anniversary of their friendship treaty this year and are promoting exchanges "in all fields."

"The history of the DPRK-China friendship, which was forged at the cost of blood and has been carried forward with genuine comradely friendship, can never be shaken no matter how the international situation may change," he wrote.

DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name.

It is his country's "steadfast will" to "steadily develop the traditional relations of unity and cooperation" with China, he added.

He also referred to his two recent summits with Xi.

"I had meaningful meetings with Comrade General Secretary last year and this year and confirmed stand and will to develop the solid and special relations of friendship between the DPRK and China ... into the most powerful and strategic relations between socialist states, aspiring after a beautiful common future," he said.

"I reaffirm my stand to lead the DPRK-China relations with deep and long historical roots to a new strategic level together with you," Kim wrote.

The North Korean leader sends Xi a congratulatory letter every year on China's National Day.

This year's message, however, has become longer and warmer over the recent years, a possible sign of warming ties.

It is nearly twice as long as the 2024 one, and its language has shifted from an emphasis on traditional friendship to calls for "most powerful and strategic" relations.

North Korea hosted a reception in Pyongyang the previous day to mark the Chinese national day, with Chinese Ambassador Wang Yajun and embassy officials in attendance, according to the KCNA.

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