Welcome to Crossroads. It appears that relations between the Chinese Communist Party and North Korea are running into some problems.

Now this started because Russia and North Korea had begun developing closer ties, and the Chinese Communist Party, oddly, seemed concerned about this.

Now they're worried this is going to impact their own interests.

South China Morning Post said this.

They said China is willing to deepen cooperation and strategic communication with North Korea.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday, amid signs of

frayed ties in recent months between the two neighbors.

It notes that a congratulatory message to leader Kim Jong-un on the 76th anniversary of North

Korea's founding.

She said the Workers' Party of Korea, again the one in charge there, and united North Koreans

and promoted vigorous development of the country.

And it said Kim had led North Korea to achievements in construction and development.

He also expressed the hope that Pyongyang would continue to win new and greater victories

in the journey of promoting the cause of Korean-style socialism.

Now, but it notes that ties between China and North Korea have been having some problems.

It says at the same time that North Korea has been stepping up its diplomatic and military efforts with Russia,

including the June visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin, his first

to Pyongyang in 24 years, Putin vowed to deepen trade and security ties and to sports

Pyongyang against the United States, while North Korean State News Agency KCNA called the

relationship a strong strategic fortress for preserving international

justice, peace and security, and an engine for accelerating the building of a multipolar world.

And again, the agenda for the multipolar world order means overturning what they call the

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