00:00The Democratic Republic of Korea marks the 78th anniversary of its founding this September 9.
00:07As Beijing reaffirm its strategic ties with Pyongyang, Xi Jinping sent a message to Kim Jong-un
00:15at a time of growing military tensions in the Asia Pacific.
00:19Our correspondent in China, Bruno Faises with more details.
00:26Greetings, comrades! I'm here in Beijing to report on the ties between China and North Korea.
00:33Today, September 9, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea marks its 78th anniversary of its founding.
00:42The Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Kim Jong-un reaffirming that strengthening
00:49and developing relations with North Korea is a consistent and unwavering policy of Beijing.
00:57Xi also expressed his willingness to deepen strategic cooperation and work with Pyongyang
01:04for the development of both countries.
01:07The message comes just months after Xi's visit to Pyongyang in June,
01:13his first state visit to North Korea in seven years and his first international trip in 2026.
01:23This relationship has deep historical roots.
01:27During the Korean War, China sent the Chinese people's volunteers to support North Korea
01:34as the United States led forces to advance northward on the peninsula, approaching China's border.
01:41According to official figures, nearly 200,000 Chinese volunteers died during the war.
01:50The conflict ended in 1953 with an armistice, but no definitive peace treaty was ever signed.
02:00In 1961, Beijing and Pyongyang signed the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance,
02:09which marked its 65th anniversary this year, more than seven decades later.
02:17The ties between China and North Korea remain strategic.
02:22Meanwhile, the United States maintain a strong military presence in the Asia-Pacific alongside South Korea and Japan,
02:32with the three countries conducting the Freedom Edge military exercise.
02:38This week, against this backdrop, Beijing advocates dialogue and cooperation,
02:45while rejecting the formation of military blocs and confrontation.
02:51With this news, from here, the capital of China, we'll go back with you in the studios.
