North Korea’s Kim congratulates Xi on third term, hopes for ‘more beautiful’ ties

Kim sent a congratulatory letter to Xi on Sunday, expressing hope to further develop ties between the two countries, North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

“Please accept my warmest congratulations to you upon the glad news that… you were elected again as the general secretary of the Party Central Committee,” Kim wrote in the letter.

The North Korean leader further said that he and Xi will shape a “more beautiful future” for bilateral relations to meet the demand of the times and work toward powerfully propelling the socialist cause in the two countries.

Kim also said he is convinced that the Communist Party and the Chinese people would “win shining victory in the new journey for maintaining and developing socialism with the Chinese characteristics” and for building a “modern socialist state under your leadership.”

On Saturday, China’s ruling party concluded its week-long gathering at the National Congress by approving amendments to its charter and endorsing Xi’s “core” leadership.

The gathering of around 2,300 delegates wrapped up at the Great Hall of the People, with the Communist Party of China unanimously passing a resolution on changes and securing Xi a historic third term as the country’s leader for another five years.

The unanimously approved amendments also allowed the incumbent Chinese president to appoint new allies, introducing a new Central Committee of around 200 senior party officials, which would set the ground for the ouster of a number of officials as part of Xi’s anti-corruption campaign.

Having been unveiled as the ruling party’s general secretary on Sunday, Xi is expected to sail through to a third term as China’s president, which is due to be announced during the government’s annual legislative sessions in March.