SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory message to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 105th founding anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, state media reported Wednesday. The letter, released by the official Korean Central News Agency, highlighted the enduring alliance between Pyongyang and Beijing and reaffirmed Kim’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
“There is no new China without Communist Party,” Kim wrote in the message, according to KCNA. “This is the truth the Chinese people have realized while advancing under its guidance for many years.” The North Korean leader further stated, “It is the steadfast stand of our Party and government to steadily develop the DPRK-China friendly relations with long and historical roots and with socialism as their core.”
The message came on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party’s founding on July 1, a date of profound significance in China. The party was founded in 1921 during a national congress in Shanghai, and has since overseen the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and the country’s rapid economic transformation. For North Korea, the CCP’s anniversary is a symbolic opportunity to reaffirm the ideological and strategic ties that have bound the two nations for decades.
Kim’s letter is the latest indication of warming ties between the longtime allies. The relationship between China and North Korea, forged during the Korean War (1950–1953), has experienced periodic fluctuations. In September of the previous year, Kim traveled to Beijing to attend a military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. That visit was seen as a gesture of solidarity amid growing tensions with the United States and its allies. More recently, in June, Kim welcomed Xi to Pyongyang for a two-day state visit — Xi’s first trip to North Korea in seven years and his first overseas visit of the year. The summit marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations, underscoring the personal rapport between the two leaders and their shared vision for socialism.
During the Pyongyang summit, Xi cited the shifting geopolitical landscape and called on both sides to “open up a new future.” He specifically emphasized expanding cooperation in trade, agriculture, science and technology, healthcare, and people-to-people exchanges. These sectors were identified as key areas for growth following the full reopening of border crossings and the resumption of flights and passenger rail service, which had been largely suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reopening has facilitated the movement of goods and people, signaling a return to normalcy in cross-border interactions. China remains North Korea’s largest trading partner and principal economic lifeline, accounting for the vast majority of its external trade. However, Beijing has repeatedly faced accusations from the United States and United Nations experts of failing to enforce international sanctions imposed on Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons program. The sanctions, adopted by the UN Security Council, aim to restrict North Korea’s access to refined petroleum, coal, and other commodities, as well as to curb its weapons-related exports.
The relationship appeared to lose some momentum in recent years as North Korea deepened military cooperation with Russia following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Pyongyang has been accused of supplying artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Russia, a charge it denies. In return, Russia has provided diplomatic support at the UN, vetoing resolutions that would tighten sanctions on North Korea. Analysts say the connection with Russia has given Kim greater leverage in dealings with Beijing by reducing his dependence on China as Pyongyang’s sole major patron. This diversified support network has allowed North Korea to resist Chinese pressure on certain issues, such as denuclearization.
Neither side publicly mentioned North Korea’s nuclear weapons program or denuclearization in their official summit readouts. China has historically supported the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but the issue has largely disappeared from Beijing’s official statements in recent years as its strategic competition with the United States has intensified. This shift reflects a broader recalibration of Chinese foreign policy, where practical cooperation with North Korea is prioritized over abstract goals like denuclearization. The United States has repeatedly called on China to use its influence to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal, but these appeals have met with limited success. Instead, China has focused on promoting a “dual-track” approach that would freeze North Korea’s weapons programs in exchange for sanctions relief and security guarantees — a proposal that has gained little traction.
In his message, Kim described the recent Pyongyang summit as “a historic occasion of deepening the comradely friendship and trust between us and reconfirming the unshakable will to more dynamically promote socialist construction in the two countries.” He added, “I am ready to add shine to socialism, the common cause of the two parties, and continue to develop the DPRK-China friendly and cooperative relations, the common wealth of the peoples of the two countries, as required by the times, together with you.” These words echo the ideological partnership that has underpinned the alliance since the early days of the Cold War. Both countries continue to officially adhere to variants of Marxism-Leninism, though China has dramatically reformed its economy since the 1980s, while North Korea maintains a centrally planned system with a significant military emphasis.
The historical context of Sino-North Korean relations is essential for understanding the current trajectory. After the Chinese Civil War, the People’s Republic of China provided extensive aid to North Korea during the Korean War, including hundreds of thousands of soldiers. In the following decades, China remained North Korea’s most reliable ally, offering economic assistance and diplomatic cover. However, the relationship has not been without tensions. In the 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, China criticized North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and supported UN sanctions. More recently, China voted in favor of Security Council resolutions that imposed tough penalties on Pyongyang after its 2017 nuclear tests. Yet, Beijing has also been accused of undermining those sanctions by engaging in illicit trade, including the shipment of refined petroleum beyond the capped limits.
From a strategic perspective, North Korea serves as a buffer state between China and the US-allied South Korea, and its survival is seen as vital for Chinese security interests. This geostrategic calculus explains why China has resisted regime change efforts and continues to engage with the Kim dynasty. At the same time, North Korea’s growing closeness with Russia complicates China’s position. While Beijing and Moscow share a “no limits” partnership, their interests in North Korea are not identical. Russia has been more willing to flout UN sanctions and provide tangible military support, which could undermine China’s attempt to maintain control over the alliance. However, China’s economic leverage remains substantial, as North Korea relies heavily on Chinese trade for food, energy, and consumer goods.
The recent exchange of letters between Kim and Xi also underscores the importance of personal diplomacy in authoritarian systems. Kim and Xi have met several times in recent years, and their carefully curated public images project a sense of unity and shared purpose. These interactions are broadcast on state media to reinforce the legitimacy of both leaders at home. For Xi, a strong relationship with North Korea bolsters his image as a global statesman capable of managing complex regional dynamics. For Kim, the backing of China provides insurance against international pressure and a source of economic support that is crucial for his regime’s stability.
Looking ahead, the trajectory of Sino-North Korean relations will depend on several factors: the evolution of US-China competition, the status of the war in Ukraine, and the pace of North Korea’s weapons development. If the US continues to expand its military presence in the region — through joint exercises with South Korea and Japan, and the deployment of strategic assets — China may further bolster North Korea as a counterweight. Conversely, if denuclearization talks resume, Beijing could play the role of mediator. For now, the tone of Kim’s letter suggests a reaffirmation of the alliance, with both leaders focused on practical cooperation and ideological solidarity.
Source:MSN News