China's Xi congratulates Kim on reelection to top party post, vows to advance ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on his reelection as the ruling party's general secretary, vowing to strengthen strategic cooperation with Pyongyang, a Chinese news report said. Xi sent the celebratory telegram to Kim after the North Korean leader was reelected as general secretary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea during the ongoing party congress, Xinhua News Agency reported. Xi touted Kim for "achieving new results in building a Korean socialist country" and said his reelection reflects "the high trust and heartfelt support" of the party, the government and the people, according to the report. Xi described China and North Korea as "friendly socialist neighbors," reaffirming his party and government's "unwavering policy" to maintain and solidly advance bilateral ties. The Chinese leader also recalled his recent meetings with Kim, proposing that the two leaders implement major agreements reached during the meetings so as to "open a new chapter" in bilateral relations. The North's official Korean Central News Agenc