North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he would work even more vigorously to strengthen ties with China, North Korean state media reported, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
Kim's statement was in response to Chinese President Xi Jinping's congratulatory message on the anniversary of the founding of North Korea.
Kim also said he "felt quite well" of China's support during his visit to Beijing earlier this month, where he attended a military parade with Xi. There, the two also had a bilateral meeting, their first in six years.
China is North Korea's main backer.
Shortly before this statement on China, Kim said there was no reason to avoid talks with the United States if Washington stopped insisting that his country give up its nuclear weapons. Kim assured that he would never give up his country's nuclear arsenal in exchange for the lifting of sanctions imposed on it.