Shock as North Korea and China team up – Xi promises Kim ‘wonderful happiness’

North Korea launched a charm offensive coinciding with China’s recent party conference, which saw President Xi strengthen his command. 

In the wake of the conference Kim sent a glowing letter to the leader of China, historically one of North Korea’s strongest allies. 

And now China has responded with a warm letter from President Xi, promising a closer bond between the neighbouring states – something sure to set alarm bells ringing in Seoul, Tokyo and Washington. 

READ MORE: Will North Korea attack the USA?

The letter was revealed by the Pyongyang-based news agency KCNA – a source which regularly issues bizarre and distorted editorials but can be relied on to accurately print foreign correspondence. 

The letter from President Xi expressed gratitude for the despot’s congratulations and promised a closer partnership in the future. 

President Xi said: “I express sincere thanks for respectively sending congratulatory messages as regards the facts that the 19th National Congress of the CPC was held and I was elected general secretary of the Central Committee, the CPC, and took office as chairman of the Central Military Commission again some days ago.”

The Chinese leader focused on economic development, “defending regional peace” and prosperity.

He said: “I wish that under the new situation the Chinese side would make efforts with the DPRK side to promote the relations between the two parities and the two countries to sustainable soundness and stable development and thus make a positive contribution to providing the peoples of the two countries with more wonderful happiness and defending regional peace and stability and common prosperity.

“I wish the Korean people steadily fresh successes in the cause of socialist construction under the leadership of the WPK headed by Chairman Kim Jong-un.”

While historically allies, Beijing has been growing increasingly concerned in recent months with Kim’s erratic behaviour – especially as it increases the USA’s influence and role in the region. 

In February, China cut off imports of North Korean coal after yet another reckless missile test – a purposeful attack on a major money spinner for Kim’s impoverished and starving nation. 

In response, North Korean state media, essentially a mouth piece for Kim, accused China of a “betrayal” in a furious tirade against their neighbours. 

It said: “China should no longer recklessly try to test the limitations of our patience. We have so devotedly helped the Chinese revolution and suffered enormous damage.”

READ MORE: Who are North Korea’s allies?