Beijing, China - Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was ready to work with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to forget a more "stable" bilateral relationship, Pyongyang's state media reported on Sunday.

Xi indicated he wants to work with Kim to steer China and North Korea's bilateral relationship toward "long term, sound, and stable" development.

The exchange follows Xi's rare visit to North Korea last month, during which the two leaders pledged to deepen ties as tensions rise on the Korean Peninsula and Pyongyang seeks to expand its military cooperation with Russia.

In a message dated July 1, Xi thanked Kim for his congratulatory message marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of China's Communist Party, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

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Xi said Kim's message reflected the "deep and warm feelings" of the North Korean leader, the ruling Workers' Party and the North Korean people toward China.

"The Communist Party of China and the Workers' Party of Korea are the Marxist ruling parties," Xi said, adding that the two countries had stood together for national independence and had jointly advanced the socialist cause over generations.

"I am ready to guide the relevant sectors and regions of both sides to the full implementation of the important common understanding achieved among us, and lead the China-DPRK relations to a long-term, sound, and stable development," Xi said.

Referring to his recent state visit to Pyongyang, Xi thanked Kim for the "enthusiastic and friendly" hospitality during the trip.

Xi's message to Kim came as the North Korean leader this week oversaw weapon tests, including cruise missile launches, which Pyongyang said was necessary as a step towards developing a true "war deterrent."