Overview

• North Korea’s KCNA reported Sunday that Xi Jinping sent a letter telling Kim Jong-un China stands ready to solidify cooperation on international and regional issues.
• KCNA said the message, dated Oct. 9, replied to Kim’s earlier congratulations on the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
• Xi was quoted as vowing to inherit and further develop the traditional friendship, describing the countries as neighbors and comrades whose ties are growing stronger.
• The letter follows the leaders’ talks in Beijing last month during Kim’s visit for a military parade, which regional outlets said helped restore ties strained by Pyongyang’s alignment with Russia.
• In a separate KCNA report, North Korea hosted Indonesia’s foreign minister in Pyongyang on Oct. 11 for talks and the signing of a memorandum of understanding tied to bilateral cooperation.