Seoul, South Korea (AP) —North Korean and Chinese leaders exchanged messages on Sunday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of their defense treaty, expressing their desire to further strengthen relations.

In a message to China’s Xi Jinping Jintao, North Korean gold Seion Prime Minister, is “friendly and incessantly to develop a cooperative relationship” that is “fixed position” of his government between the two countries Said.

In his message, Mr. Nishi said, “We will provide greater happiness to both countries by strengthening strategic communication with (Kim) and steadily leading the way in order to properly manage the direction of progress in China-North Korea relations. I’m ready. ” The relationship of friendship and cooperation between the two countries is at a new stage, “said KCNA.

North Korea is expected to seek greater support from its major ally and aid benefactor, China, as it addresses the economic difficulties exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and US-led sanctions on its nuclear weapons program. I am. According to some experts, preventing the collapse of North Korea is crucial to its security interests, and China has a relationship with North Korea and other traditional allies in fierce competition with the United States. I think it needs to be strengthened.

In his message, Kim said the bilateral treaty “shows a stronger vitality in defending and promoting the socialist causes of both countries … now hostile forces are more desperate for their challenges and sabotage. It has become. “

Under the 1961 Convention, North Korea and China are committed to providing each other with immediate military and other assistance in the event of an attack.

Relations between North Korea and China date back to the 1930s, when Kim Jong Un’s grandfather, Kim Il Sung, led a South Korean guerrilla when he and Chinese soldiers fought against Japanese colonists in northeastern China. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1949, a year before North Korea launched a surprise attack on South Korea, launching a three-year war and killing hundreds of thousands of people.

China fought with North Korea during the Korean War of 1950-53, but US-led UN forces supported South Korea. Approximately 28,500 US soldiers are stationed in South Korea to prevent a potential invasion from North Korea. China does not have an army in North Korea.