Putin and Kim Jong Un congratulate Xi on third term

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his "warmest congratulations" to Xi Jinping on Sunday, after his Chinese counterpart secured a historic third term as head of the Communist Party of China.

Putin said he would be "happy to continue our constructive dialogue and close common work aimed at strengthening the... strategic cooperation between our countries," according to a statement from the Kremlin, as he wished Xi prosperity and "new successes".

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has also sent his "warmest congratulations" to Xi Jinping on securing a third term as head of China's ruling Communist Party.

The unusually prompt report from Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency came after the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee elected Xi as its general secretary for another five-year term.

"Please accept my warmest congratulations to you upon the glad news that... you were elected again as the general secretary of the Party Central Committee," read Kim's message carried by KCNA.

"I, together with you, will shape more beautiful future of the DPRK-China relations meeting the demand of the times," Kim said, using the acronym of the North's official name.

China is North Korea's longtime ally and economic benefactor, their relationship forged in the bloodshed of the Korean War, when Mao Zedong sent millions of "volunteers" to fight US-led United Nations forces.

Ties have fluctuated over the years due to Pyongyang's growing nuclear ambitions, but the two have been working to repair their relationship.

(AFP)