North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly sent a telegram to Chinese President Xi Jinping to congratulate him on his 70th birthday.

Thursday's edition of North Korea's ruling Worker's Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun carried the story on its front page.

It says Kim lauded Xi, saying his vigorous leadership has greatly enhanced China's overall national power and international standing. The paper emphasizes Pyongyang's friendly ties with Beijing.

Kim has not traveled outside North Korea since the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, and has not held a summit with Xi during this time. But the two countries have been deepening their friendly relationship through the exchange of congratulatory telegrams.
Kim also sent a congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of the country's national day on June 12. The day is the anniversary of Russia's declaration of sovereignty as a state in 1990.

In that message, Kim said the friendship between Pyongyang and Moscow is a valuable strategic asset that should be further strengthened.

Observers say North Korea is apparently moving to fortify ties with China and Russia in the face of tighter security coordination by Japan, the United States and South Korea.