Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to strengthening ties with North Korea, saying the two countries have long supported each other across generations, the North's state media reported Thursday. Xi made the remarks in a reply sent to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Tuesday, responding to Kim's Oct. 1 congratulatory message marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of China, in which Kim pledged to further develop their traditional friendship and safeguard shared interests. Xi said the two countries are geographically connected and that their friendship and shared destiny have long been defining features of bilateral relations, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Xi also highlighted the outcome of his state visit to North Korea in June, saying the two leaders reached important common understandings on deepening bilateral ties and further strengthening strategic guidance for their development. "China is ready to work with North Korea to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two nations, consolidate mutual political trust, ex