Vice president underscores friendship with DPRK

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-17 22:28

PYONGYANG - The new Chinese leadership will, as always, attach great importance to the development of friendly relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said here Tuesday.

Xi, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s Central Committee, arrived in Pyongyang Tuesday morning for a three-day official goodwill visit to the country.

During his meeting later in the day with Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Xi said it is the firm and unchangeable policy of the CPC and the Chinese government to continuously consolidate and develop the friendly and cooperative relations with the DPRK.

The friendship between China and the DPRK, built and fostered by the earlier generations of leaders of the two countries, is an invaluable heritage for both nations, Xi said.

China is ready to join hands with the DPRK to push for greater development of bilateral relations, he added.

This is Xi's first overseas visit since he assumed office in March. The DPRK is the first leg of his five-nation trip, which will also take him to Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Yemen.

Kim said DPRK-China relations are continuing to move forward and Xi's visit shows that the new leadership of China places great emphasis on the development of relations with the DPRK.

The DPRK is ready to join hands with China to further strengthen the long-standing, traditional friendship between the two countries, he said.

The people of the DPRK wish China greater achievements in implementing a scientific outlook on development, developing a harmonious society and realizing peaceful reunification of the country, the DPRK leader added.