N. Korean leader reaffirms stronger ties with China in message to Xi

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reaffirmed Tuesday that relations with China will grow stronger in a message sent to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the North's state media reported. Kim made the remarks as he congratulated Xi over China's 75th founding anniversary, which falls on Tuesday this year. "I believe that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries will grow stronger in conformity with the requirements of the new era and the aspirations and desire of the peoples of the two countries," Kim said, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency. "Over the past 75 years since the founding of the new China, the Chinese people have actively pushed ahead with the building of socialism with Chinese characteristics, overcoming all trials and challenges of history," he said. "It is the consistent stand of our Party and the government of the Republic to steadily consolidate and develop the traditional DPRK-China friendship," referring to North Korea by its official name, th e Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim has sent messages to Xi every year on the occasion of China's National Day. Source: Yonhap News Agency