North Korean leader Kim Jong Eun sent a congratulatory message to Chinese President Xi Jinping in time for the country¡¯s 65th National Day, but noticeably without any mention of ¡®special ties¡¯ between the two sides, signaling a change in relations between Pyongyang and Beijing.

The North¡¯s state-run Chosun Central News Agency [KCNA] reported the message had been sent on Tuesday to President Xi, Premier Li Keqiang, and Zhang Dejiang, the chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, under the name of the North¡¯s Kim Jong Eun, the head of parliament, Kim Yong Nam, and Prime Minister Park Bong Ju.

¡°We, in the name of the Chosun Workers¡¯ Party and the Democratic People¡¯s Republic of Korea, send our message of congratulations to you, the Communist Party, and all members of the People¡¯s Republic of China in celebration of the 65th anniversary of the country¡¯s foundation,¡± the message read.

In addition, it said, ¡°We hope to see the people of China reap greater results in the fight for development and prosperity of the state,¡± adding, ¡°We hope for wealth and power as well as people¡¯s happiness in the Republic.¡± 

However, unlike other letters, what went unmentioned was ¡°North Korea-China¡± relations and emphasis on what ¡®special¡¯ nature it has, leading many to believe it signals frosty ties between the two countries compared to the close relationship they maintained.

Kim Jong Eun has sent multiple messages of congratulations to President Xi on Chinese national celebrations since taking office in 2012. It is believed this particular letter was made public through media in the North in order to prove bilateral ties still remain strong. Notably, many of the expressions used in past National Day messages were omitted.

Last year, the North¡¯s leader wrote to President Xi, ¡°Our ties carry the heart and soul of our elder leaders and revolutionary ancestors and have battled through many hardships in history. It is this party and republic¡¯s stance that we carry on and strengthen this friendship,¡± emphasizing the two countries are ¡°blood brothers.¡±

¡°Today the people of China, following the leadership of the Communist Party, are pouring all their efforts into strengthening the state¡¯s power and stance on the global stage in order to achieve the ¡®China Dream¡¯ of seeing the nation rise once again,¡± it also read.

In 2012, Kim called the foundation of the People¡¯s Republic of China a ¡°groundbreaking event,¡± and wrote, ¡°It is the teaching of Great Leader Kim Il Sung and Dear Leader Kim Jong Il to continue and further develop the friendship of Chosun [North Korea] and China, which is a gem shared between both sides.¡±

President Xi, also in a message sent earlier to Kim Jong Eun on September 9th in honor of North Korea¡¯s National Day, left out the expression, ¡°continuing traditions, aiming for the future, friendly relations, stronger cooperation,¡± known as the fundamental principles of Pyongyang-Beijing relations.