President Xi Jinping has congratulated the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the 76th anniversary of its founding, stressing Beijing's readiness to maintain, consolidate and develop its traditional friendly and cooperative relations with Pyongyang.

In a message sent on Monday to Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, Xi said that for the past 76 years, under the leadership of the WPK, the people of the DPRK have been united as one in advancing the endeavors of the country on all fronts.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, lauded the DPRK for its achievements in national construction and development in recent years, while expressing the belief that the nation will secure new and greater victories in advancing the cause of DPRK-style socialism.

Noting that China and the DPRK are connected by mountains and rivers, Xi said the two countries enjoy a traditional friendship that grows stronger over time. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations and the China-DPRK Friendship Year.

Under the new circumstances in the new era, Xi said that Beijing will continue to view bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective, and is willing to deepen strategic communication and strengthen coordination and cooperation with Pyongyang.

Xi called on both sides to jointly advance the cause of socialism, in order to bring more benefits to the two peoples and make greater contributions to the peace, stability, development and prosperity of the region and the world.