Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese president, holds talks with Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Pyongyang, DPRK, June 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, May 9 -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a verbal message of thanks to Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), in reply to an earlier verbal message from the latter.

Saying he was very glad to receive Kim's warm and friendly message, Xi recalled that in February this year, Kim sent him a letter of sympathy over the COVID-19 outbreak and provided support for China's prevention and control efforts.

That has fully reflected the profound bond of amity Kim as well as the WPK and the DPRK government and people share with their Chinese counterparts, and vividly illustrated the solid foundation and strong vitality of the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK, said Xi, who also conveyed his deep gratitude and high appreciation.

Xi pointed out that after the coronavirus disease broke out, China, under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee and with strong support from various sides, has achieved significant strategic results in COVID-19 prevention and control through arduous efforts.