North Korea’s Kim Jong Un says he will strengthen ties with China more vigorously: KCNA

SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he would promote relations with China “more vigorously,” the Korean Central News Agency reported on Sept 23.

His comments were made in a reply to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s congratulatory message on North Korea’s founding anniversary, the state news agency said.

Mr Kim also said he could “feel well enough” China’s support during his visit earlier this month to Beijing, where he watched a military parade alongside Mr Xi, KCNA added.

Mr Xi stood side-by-side with Mr Kim during the World War Two anniversary event in Beijing and held a separate bilateral meeting, their first in six years.

China is a major backer and an economic lifeline for North Korea.

Meanwhile, Mr Kim earlier said there was

no reason to avoid talks with the US

if Washington stopped insisting his country gave up nuclear weapons, but he would never abandon the nuclear arsenal to end the economic sanctions imposed on his country by the West. REUTERS