President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in Beijing, on Jan 8, 2019. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

President Xi Jinping congratulated Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on Wednesday on the 72nd anniversary of the country's founding. Xi said he is willing to work with Kim to enhance the two nations' traditional friendship and cooperation.

In a message to Kim, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed warm congratulations and greetings to the WPK and to the DPRK government and people on behalf of the CPC and the Chinese government and people.

As a friendly neighbor of the DPRK, China is happy about the progress in the country.

President Xi Jinping

Xi said that since it was founded 72 years ago, the DPRK has achieved robust development in its socialist cause under the leadership of the WPK.

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In recent years, he said, the WPK and the DPRK's people, led by Kim, have carried out new strategic lines, remained focused on economic development, actively promoted international exchanges and cooperation and achieved significant results.

As a friendly neighbor of the DPRK, China is happy about the progress in the country, Xi added.

He stressed that the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK is treasured by the two parties, countries and peoples.

Xi mentioned his meetings with Kim in recent years and the important consensuses they reached during the meetings. He said they have guided the relationship between the two parties and the two countries into a new historic period.

The China-DPRK friendship has been further strengthened by the countries' mutual support and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

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Noting that he attaches great importance to the development of their bilateral ties, Xi said he stands ready to work with Kim to reach new achievements in enhancing China-DPRK friendly cooperation in order to benefit the two countries and two peoples and to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

He expressed wishes that the DPRK would be more prosperous and its people live happy and healthy lives.

Contact the writer at caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn