Chinese President Hu Jintao has congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong-il on his reelection to the head of the North’s governing body.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported the message from the Chinese official says Kim’s reelection proves the North Korean people sincerely support their leader.

Hu also said the two countries should further develop a cooperative and friendly relationship on the occasion of the Friendship Year of China and North Korea.

Hu’s message comes at a sensitive time when the U.N. Security Council is calling to impose sanctions against North Korea for carrying out a rocket launch.