Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s steadfast commitment to its longstanding friendship with North Korea, emphasizing that the alliance would persist regardless of shifts in the international landscape. This assurance was conveyed through letters exchanged with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which were published by North Korean state media KCNA on Saturday.

Kim Jong Un, in his letter to Xi, described the bilateral relationship as having reached a “new strategic level,” highlighting growing cooperation between the two countries. The correspondence coincides with the 65th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, signed on July 11, 1961, which remains China’s sole active mutual defense pact.

North Korea’s Premier Pak Thae Song arrived in Beijing on Friday for a three-day visit to participate in events commemorating this milestone. The visit follows President Xi’s trip to Pyongyang last month, marking his first visit to North Korea in seven years. During that visit, Xi and Kim agreed to expand collaboration in areas including politics, the economy, and culture.

In his letter, Xi expressed that the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government would continue to prioritize the traditional friendship with North Korea. He pledged ongoing support for North Korea’s socialist path under Kim’s leadership and emphasized a mutual commitment to safeguarding shared interests and maintaining a favorable strategic environment.

The reaffirmation of ties comes amid a complex international context marked by geopolitical tensions in Northeast Asia and renewed scrutiny of the Korea Peninsula’s security dynamics. While the letters and commemorative activities highlight the two countries’ close diplomatic relationship, the broader international community continues to monitor developments closely, given North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and China's influential role in regional stability.