Kim sends another telegram to Xi amid strained China-N Korea ties

Want China Times, Staff Reporter 2013-10-02

Kim Jong-un attends an event marking the 60th anniversary of the Korean
War ceasefire on July 27, 2013. (Photo/Xinhua)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is deeply concerned that his country's relations with its key ally China are deteriorating, reports Duowei News, an outlet run by overseas Chinese.

On Sept. 30, Kim sent a congratulatory message China's president, Xi Jinping, on the eve of the 64th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Kim called the Chinese people "brothers" and said the friendship was bound by the blood of the previous generations of leaders.

This would appear a routine gesture, but it marks the fourth time Kim has sent a congratulatory message to Xi since he became head of the Communist party of China in November last year. Kim was the first foreign leader to congratulate Xi on that occasion and also sent a message in March when Xi was appointed China's president, and in June when Xi turned 60.

Political analysts speculate that Kim's proactive and friendly gestures toward Xi signal his desire to improve relations amid recent tensions over North Korea's nuclear tests. Leaders from the two countries held strategic talks in Beijing on June 19, and despite a less than warm reception the two sides agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

On prior occasions Beijing has welcomed North Korean envoys with lavish gifts but when Kim's special envoy Choe Ryong-hae visited in May, he received nothing, which was seen as a sign of Beijing's disapproval of the actions of its headache-causing ally.

Analysts believe China is trying to gradually shift away from its "closer than lips and teeth" relationship with North Korea, though Kim is desperate to repair the friendship and strengthen ties with its economic lifeline.