North Korea's official newspaper highlighted its "inseparable" relations with China on today as they mark the 58th anniversary of signing a mutual defence treaty, Yonhap news agency reported.

The two countries signed the treaty on July 11, 1961, under which they are obliged to provide military and other assistance to each other, a deal seen as the bedrock of their strong alliance for decades.

"Today's international environment requires the people of North Korea and China to work to advance the North Korea-China relations more greatly in line with the stream of the times. This is the obligation of the people of the two countries," the Rodong Sinmun said in an article.

"Though things have changed a lot with the passing of the time, it is an unchanged truth that the fate of North Korea and China remains inseparable," it added.

The paper, in particular, credited the 1961 treaty for solidifying their friendly and cooperative ties and safeguarding peace and prosperity of the world.

North Korea has stepped up efforts to consolidate its ties with China amid nuclear talks with the US.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping have held five summits since last year. Xi made his first-ever trip as head of state to Pyongyang last month for his fifth summit with Kim.

- Bernama