THE leaders of China and North Korea marked the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations yesterday by exchanging messages that expressed hopes for stronger ties.

In a message sent to Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said that his government will “steadily strive to consolidate and develop the friendly and co-operative relations” between the two countries, according to North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

President Xi, in his message to Mr Kim, said that China is ready to jointly promote “the stable and further advance of the socialist cause in the two countries,” KCNA said.