North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory message on July 1 to Chinese President and General Secretary Xi Jinping on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Communist Party, reaffirming his commitment to developing ties of friendship between the two sides.

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A scene from the event commemorating the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, held at the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang on June 30. / People's Daily

According to Beijing sources familiar with bilateral relations on July 1, Chairman Kim stated in his congratulatory message that day, "I am willing to continue elevating and developing the DPRK-China ties of friendship and cooperation, which are the common wealth of the peoples of the two countries, in line with the requirements of the times." He then congratulated the party on its founding anniversary, praising its status and role by saying, "The truth that there is no New China without the Communist Party is what the Chinese people have learned through experience while advancing under the leadership of the party for a long period."

He also emphasized, "It is the steadfast position of our party and government to continuously strengthen and develop DPRK-China friendly relations, which not only have deep historical roots but also hold socialism at their core." Furthermore, recalling the North Korea-China summit held in Pyongyang on June 8 and 9, he evaluated it as "a historic milestone that reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to deepening comradeship and trust, and to more powerfully driving socialist construction and traditional friendly relations in both countries." He added, "The absolute superiority of DPRK-China relations is firmly guaranteed by the leadership of the party."

Chairman Kim previously sent congratulatory messages to President Xi in 2016 and 2021, marking the 95th and 100th anniversaries of the Chinese party's founding. According to sources, socialist countries like North Korea and China place special importance on "Jeongjunyeon" anniversaries, which fall on every fifth and tenth year. Consequently, the scale of various commemorative events increases, and congratulatory messages are exchanged among high-ranking officials.

Prior to this, a reception commemorating the founding anniversary was held at the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang on June 30. According to the embassy's announcement, around 150 people attended the reception, including North Korean party and government officials, foreign diplomatic envoys to North Korea, and representatives from Chinese media and international students.

In particular, North Korea showed special care by sending a large group of high-ranking officials, including Jo Yong-won, Organizing Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and considered a close confidant of Chairman Kim, along with WPK Secretary Kim Sung-nam, Deputy Director of the WPK International Department Moon Seong-hyuk, Vice Foreign Minister Kim Myong-su, Vice Minister of External Economic Relations Ryu Eun-hae, and Vice Minister of Culture Pak Kyung-chol. Representing the group, Secretary Kim Sung-nam noted in his speech, "Today, the Chinese people have achieved high-quality economic development and social stability by rallying closely around the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core. They continue to secure remarkable achievements in consolidating the nation's international standing."

In response, Chinese Ambassador Wang Yajun said, "Entering the new era, General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong-un have held seven historic summits, setting the direction for developing relations between the two parties and two countries." He added, "China is willing to work with Korea to implement and fulfill the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries. We are also ready to guide the healthy and stable development of China-DPRK relations together, while jointly safeguarding regional peace and development."

Ahead of the banquet, a seminar on exchanging party-building experiences between North Korea and China was also held at the embassy. In connection with this, the WPK Central Committee sent a congratulatory flower basket to the CPC Central Committee, and a flower basket in the name of the North Korean Embassy in China was also delivered.

According to sources, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic communication and expanding cooperation through a summit and a joint statement during President Xi's visit to North Korea, which took place for the first time in seven years since 2019. They agreed to expand exchange and cooperation in various fields, including economy, trade, agriculture, and construction, as well as high-level exchanges. Chairman Kim's move to send a congratulatory message and a floral wreath for President Xi's birthday last month also appears to clearly reflect these closer ties between the two sides.

                                                                                                           Hong Soon-do