Pyongyang's state media reported Sunday. The exchange follows Xi's rare visit to North Korea in June, when the two leaders pledged to deepen ties as tensions rise on the Korean Peninsula and Pyongyang expands its military cooperation with Russia.

In a message dated July 1, Xi thanked Kim for his congratulatory message marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of China's Communist Party, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Xi said Kim's message reflected the "deep and warm feelings" of the North Korean leader, the ruling Workers' Party and the North Korean people toward China.

"The Communist Party of China and the Workers' Party of Korea are the Marxist ruling parties," Xi said, adding that the two countries had stood together for national independence and had jointly advanced the socialist cause over generations. "I am ready to guide the relevant sectors and regions of both sides to the full implementation of the important common understanding achieved among us and lead the China-DPRK relations to a long-term, sound and stable development," Xi said, using the initials of the North's official name.

Referring to his recent state visit to Pyongyang, Xi thanked Kim for the "enthusiastic and friendly" hospitality during the trip. The message came in response to a letter from Kim, who described their summit in Pyongyang as a "historic occasion" and said it was North Korea's "steadfast stand" to continue strengthening ties with Beijing. North Korea has expanded security ties with Russia, where Pyongyang has sent soldiers and munitions to assist Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Still, China remains North Korea's largest economic partner, accounting for nearly 98 percent of the country's foreign trade in 2024, according to South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance. (Bssnews)