Chinese state media said Monday that Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on his election as general secretary of the ruling Workers' Party.
Kim was chosen’ to take over the title from his
late father on Sunday. China is North Korea's largest trading partner and close
ally.
According to China's state-run Xinhua news agency, Xi said North Korea, led by Kim, could achieve its economic and social
development goals and "achieve maximum socialist development."
Kim told a party congressional representative
last week that his five-year economic plan had failed to meet its targets. He
blamed international sanctions as well as unforeseen crises, including the
corona virus epidemic and natural disasters, and criticized officials for
mistakes that needed to be’ addressed.
Since Kim came to power in 2011, the living
standards of many North Koreans have improved as markets have expanded and
consumer goods have become more widely available. But now the country is facing
its worst crisis since the famine in the 1990s, and projects such as tourist
destinations, economic zones, and a major hospital have stalled.
Talks have also stalled to persuade North Korea
to give up its nuclear weapons and improve relations with the United States and
South Korea, with Pyongyang accusing Seoul and Washington of pursuing hostile
policies.
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