North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent Chinese President Xi Jinping greetings with what appeared to be restrained rhetoric that comes as Pyongyang moves closer to Russia and depends less on its long-time Asian ally.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un thanked China's Xi Jinping for congratulating the DPRK on its anniversary, emphasizing their shared aspirations.

The recording was captured in 2018, and journalists at the time documented it well.

Kim’s daughter also appeared at this event, her first appearance in 80 days. Interestingly, Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, was reportedly escorting her niece, showing deference. There was a time when South Korea was touting Kim Yo Jong herself as successor, but that possibility has now all but vanished.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has expressed his intention to develop friendly relations with Beijing in his reply letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the North's state media said Sunday. Kim sent the letter on Sept.