N. Korea, China highlight 'militant friendship' on treaty anniversary

 

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 North Korea and China are marking 60 years since the signing of a friendship treaty between the two communist states, a show of close ties as the nuclear talks stall and tensions rise between Beijing and Washington.

According to the North's state media, leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping have exchanged letters reaffirming their ties.

In his letter to Xi, Kim referred to a "militant friendship" between Pyeongyang and Beijing that he said grows stronger day by day... despite what he called the "unprecedentedly complicated international situation in recent years."

And writing to Kim, President Xi said that the treaty signed in 1961 laid important foundations for the so-called militant friendship, and he said he hopes to strengthen strategic communication with Kim.