SEOUL (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was willing to strengthen strategic communications and cooperate closely with North Korea, North Korean state media KCNA reported on Tuesday.

Xi sent congratulations to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the 77th anniversary of North Korea’s founding, KCNA said.

“The Chinese side is ready to join hands in promoting the China-DPRK friendship and the socialist cause of the two countries through the intensified strategic communication and brisk visits and close cooperation with the DPRK side,” KCNA quoted Xi’s message as saying, referring to North Korea’s official name.

The leaders of the two nuclear-armed neighbours met in Beijing last week when Kim attended a military parade there on a rare trip to a multilateral gathering. At their f

See Full Page