PYONGYANG, North Korea (Reuters) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a rare congratulatory message to Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of China’s Communist Party Congress, wishing him “great success” as head of the nation, the North’s state-run television KRT reported on Thursday (October 26).
The friendly gesture by the North Korean leader, who seldom issues personal messages, comes as China is being urged by the international community to do more to rein in the North’s missile and nuclear tests that have raised tensions globally.
Xi became China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong at the all-important week-long congress.
China is the North’s sole major ally, and accounts for more than 90 percent of trade with the isolated country.
The two countries often exchange routine diplomatic correspondence and ceremonial letters to each other on political anniversaries or political promotions, although personal messages to and from the leaders tend to be few.
