Xi, Putin Send Congratulatory Messages to Kim on DPRK’s 78th Anniversary
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on September 9, marking the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), according to Xinhua News Agency. Russian President Vladimir Putin also extended congratulations, underscoring the deepening alignment between Pyongyang, Beijing, and Moscow.
Reaffirming Strategic Ties
In his message, Xi praised the Korean people’s progress under Workers’ Party of Korea leadership, stating that they have “accelerated the dynamic progress of the socialist cause of the DPRK in all fields for 78 years by dint of self-reliance and united efforts,” as reported by the Korean Central News Agency.
Xi described China and North Korea as “friendly socialist neighbors defending and helping one another and sharing their destiny,” emphasizing that maintaining and developing bilateral relations remains “the consistent and steadfast policy” of the Chinese party and government.
The Chinese leader explicitly referenced his June 2026 state visit to Pyongyang, noting that he met Kim again to “open up a new chapter in the development of the relations between the two parties and the two countries.” That visit, Xi’s first to North Korea since 2019 and his first international trip of 2026, marked the seventh meeting between the two leaders, according to NK News.
Putin’s Parallel Message
Putin, who sent his congratulations a day earlier, emphasized Russia’s commitment to consolidating its “comprehensive strategic partnership” with North Korea, according to RT China. The Russian president stated that this partnership “will contribute to ensuring regional security and establishing a new, more just and multipolarized world order.”
Both leaders’ messages were prominently featured on the front page of the Rodong Sinmun, North Korea’s ruling party newspaper, according to the Korea JoongAng Daily. The newspaper also carried congratulations from Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, among others.
Anniversary Observances
North Korean officials paid tribute at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang, where the embalmed bodies of state founder Kim Il-sung and former leader Kim Jong-il lie in state, as reported by The Korea Times. Senior officials including Premier Pak Thae-song and Workers’ Party secretary Jo Yong-won also visited national cemeteries to honor fallen revolutionaries.
Kim Jong-un did not attend the Kumsusan Palace ceremony or appear at the parade and evening gala held at Kim Il Sung Square on September 8, though he sent a flower basket. This pattern of non-attendance has been consistent since 2021, as noted by Financial News.
Geopolitical Implications
The joint congratulations come amid heightened regional tensions, with North Korean troops reportedly crossing the military demarcation line more than 20 times in the past month and the Workers’ Party of Korea having removed reunification references from its charter. The messages also follow the recent opening of a new road bridge over the Tumen River connecting North Korea and Russia.
According to Global Times, Xi’s message expressed confidence that the Korean people “will surely achieve the goals and tasks set forth at the Ninth Congress of the WPK.” The Chinese government’s English-language portal confirmed the details of Xi’s message.
Analysis: A Coordinated Signal
Jeong Yu-seok, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told the Korea JoongAng Daily that North Korea, “having secured China and Russia as its backers amid confrontation between rival blocs, appears to be seeking to fully capitalize on its strategic position.” He noted Pyongyang is likely to continue leveraging “ideologically driven bloc formation to neutralize sanctions against North Korea and gain recognition as a nuclear weapons state.”
The synchronized messaging from Beijing and Moscow, prominently displayed in North Korea’s state media, signals a coordinated effort to present a unified front against Western-led security frameworks in the region. Xi’s explicit reference to his June visit reinforces China’s determination to reassert its influence in Pyongyang even as Russia-North Korea ties deepen.
What to Watch
Observers will be watching whether the trilateral alignment translates into concrete diplomatic initiatives, particularly at the United Nations and in regional forums. North Korea’s continued emphasis on its strategic partnerships with China and Russia suggests Pyongyang sees these relationships as central to its efforts to reshape the regional security environment on its own terms.
As the 78th anniversary passes, the key question remains whether the deepening Beijing-Moscow-Pyongyang axis will accelerate efforts to challenge the existing regional order or whether internal and external constraints will temper the pace of change. Xi’s offer to “steadily intensify strategic guidance” over party and state relations signals that China intends to remain closely engaged with North Korea for the foreseeable future.