In a significant development signaling strengthened ties between two longstanding allies, Chinese President Xi Jinping has conveyed to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that China is committed to solidifying strategic cooperation with Pyongyang on international and regional issues. This message was reported by North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Sunday, October 12, 2025, highlighting a renewed push to bolster the historic relationship between the two nations. The pledge comes at a time of heightened global tensions, with both countries navigating complex geopolitical challenges and seeking to counter Western influence.
Xi’s Message to Kim: A Commitment to Friendship and Cooperation
According to KCNA, President Xi’s remarks were part of a message sent on Thursday, October 9, 2025, in response to a congratulatory telegram from Kim Jong Un marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1. In his message, Xi emphasized the deep bonds between China and North Korea, describing them as “great neighbors, friends, and comrades that help each other.” He underscored that the traditional friendship between the two nations has only grown stronger over time, despite shifting global dynamics.
Xi expressed China’s readiness to inherit and further develop this longstanding relationship, focusing on deepening friendly exchanges and fostering mutually beneficial cooperation. He highlighted China’s willingness to strengthen strategic coordination with North Korea on international and regional matters, with the aim of promoting greater welfare for the peoples of both countries. Additionally, Xi stressed the shared goal of protecting peace, stability, and international equity and justice in the region, a statement that aligns with both nations’ frequent criticism of perceived Western hegemony.
The message follows a rare meeting between Xi and Kim in Beijing last month, their first in over six years. The summit took place during Kim’s visit to attend a military parade, marking a significant moment in the revitalization of high-level diplomatic engagement between the two countries. The talks underscored a mutual interest in reinforcing their alliance amid a complex international landscape, including ongoing tensions with the United States and its allies.
High-Level Talks in Pyongyang: China’s Premier Visits North Korea
In a related development, North Korea’s Premier Pak Thae-song held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Pyongyang on Saturday, October 11, 2025. The meeting coincided with Li’s visit to attend events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the founding of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, a milestone that underscores the enduring political framework of the Kim regime. The discussions between the two premiers further reinforced the commitment to deepening bilateral ties.
During the talks, Premier Pak reaffirmed North Korea’s support for China’s policies on key national interests, including its stance on Taiwan. Pyongyang’s backing of Beijing’s position on Taiwan—a highly sensitive issue for China—signals North Korea’s alignment with China’s broader geopolitical objectives. Pak also expressed North Korea’s intent to oppose “hegemonism,” a term often used by both nations to critique the influence of the United States and its allies. He emphasized that North Korea would work alongside China to protect a fair international order and promote global peace.
Pak described Li’s visit as an “important opportunity” to elevate North Korea-China relations to a higher level, signaling Pyongyang’s eagerness to explore new avenues for collaboration. He highlighted the potential for the two nations to open “new phases in friendship,” building on their shared history and ideological alignment.
For his part, Premier Li reiterated China’s commitment to strengthening its friendship with North Korea, regardless of changes in the international security environment. He emphasized Beijing’s readiness to provide mutual support to Pyongyang on multilateral platforms, advocating for international equity and justice. Li also stressed the importance of enhancing strategic communications and expanding exchanges and cooperation between the two allies, laying the groundwork for deeper collaboration in various domains.
Historical Context and Strategic Implications
The renewed emphasis on China-North Korea relations comes at a time when both countries face significant external pressures. For China, tensions with the West, particularly the United States, have intensified over issues such as trade, technology, and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Beijing’s support for Pyongyang serves as a strategic counterweight to Western influence in the region, while also ensuring stability along its northeastern border.
For North Korea, the strengthening of ties with China is critical amid ongoing international sanctions and diplomatic isolation. Pyongyang has long relied on Beijing as its primary economic and political lifeline, with China accounting for the vast majority of North Korea’s trade and aid. The reaffirmation of this partnership provides North Korea with a vital buffer against Western-led efforts to curb its nuclear ambitions and economic activities.
The relationship between China and North Korea dates back to the Korean War (1950–1953), when Chinese forces fought alongside North Korean troops against U.S.-led United Nations forces. Since then, the two countries have maintained a complex but enduring alliance, formalized through the 1961 Sino-North Korean Mutual Aid and Cooperation Friendship Treaty. While the relationship has experienced periods of strain—particularly during North Korea’s provocative nuclear tests in the 2000s and 2010s—recent years have seen a warming of ties, driven by shared strategic interests.
Geopolitical Ramifications
The pledges of deepened cooperation between China and North Korea carry significant implications for regional and global security. The two countries’ alignment on international and regional issues could complicate efforts by the United States, South Korea, and Japan to address North Korea’s nuclear program through diplomacy or sanctions. China’s support for North Korea, particularly in multilateral forums such as the United Nations, could further shield Pyongyang from international pressure.
Moreover, the emphasis on countering “hegemonism” and promoting a “fair international order” reflects a broader challenge to the Western-led global system. Both China and North Korea have expressed frustration with what they perceive as an inequitable international framework dominated by the United States and its allies. By strengthening their partnership, the two countries aim to amplify their voices on the global stage and advance their shared vision of a multipolar world.
The timing of these developments is also noteworthy. North Korea’s recent military advancements, including tests of new ballistic and hypersonic missiles, have raised concerns among its neighbors and the international community. China’s reaffirmation of support for Pyongyang could embolden North Korea to continue its assertive posture, potentially complicating efforts to resume denuclearization talks.
Domestic and Regional Reactions
While the KCNA reports focused on the positive aspects of the China-North Korea relationship, the announcements are likely to elicit mixed reactions regionally and globally. In South Korea, policymakers may view the strengthened ties with concern, as they could undermine Seoul’s efforts to engage North Korea in dialogue and reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Japan, which has repeatedly expressed alarm over North Korea’s missile tests, may also see the development as a setback for regional stability.
In the United States, the Biden administration has prioritized countering China’s global influence while maintaining pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions. The deepening of China-North Korea ties could complicate Washington’s strategy, potentially leading to increased diplomatic and economic measures to counter the alliance.
Looking Ahead: A Strategic Partnership in a Changing World
The recent exchanges between Chinese and North Korean leaders underscore the enduring nature of their strategic partnership, rooted in shared history, ideology, and geopolitical objectives. As both nations navigate a rapidly changing global landscape, their commitment to deepening cooperation signals a mutual desire to strengthen their positions against external pressures.
For China, the relationship with North Korea serves as a strategic asset in its broader rivalry with the West, while also ensuring stability in a critical border region. For North Korea, China’s support remains a lifeline in the face of economic challenges and international isolation. As the two countries move forward with their pledges of enhanced cooperation, the international community will be closely watching the implications for regional security, global diplomacy, and the balance of power in East Asia.
In conclusion, the reaffirmation of China-North Korea ties through high-level exchanges and public commitments reflects a calculated effort to solidify their alliance in an era of uncertainty. Whether this partnership will lead to greater stability or heightened tensions in the region remains to be seen, but its significance cannot be understated in the context of global geopolitics.
