BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Kim Jong Un on Thursday on his reelection as president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

In his message, Xi said that the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK is a valuable asset shared by both countries, and that safeguarding, consolidating and developing China-DPRK relations has always been an unwavering policy of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government.

Recalling his meeting with Kim last year, Xi said that they had reached a series of important consensuses and jointly opened a new chapter in bilateral relations.

Xi said he attaches great importance to developing China-DPRK relations, and is willing to work with Kim to jointly advance the traditional friendship between the two countries and better benefit both countries and their peoples.