DPRK pledges to deepen friendship ties with China

Kim extends greetings to Xi as art troupe arrives in capital for festival

PYONGYANG－The top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Jong-un, pledged to jointly write a new chapter in the friendship with China during a meeting with a senior Chinese official in Pyongyang.

Kim, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, met with Song Tao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee at the headquarters of the WPK Central Committee on Saturday.

During the meeting, Kim extended his greetings to General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping and welcomed the Chinese art troupe headed by Song that will attend the April Spring International Friendship Art Festival in Pyongyang.

Kim said that not long ago, he made a historic visit to China, during which he had longtime and meaningful talks and exchanges with Xi.

The two leaders reached an important consensus and the meeting achieved fruitful results, he said.

As the friendly relations between the DPRK and China are moving towards a new and higher stage, Xi sent a high-level and large-scale troupe to the DPRK, showing that Xi highly values the relationship with the DPRK, he said.

Kim said he hopes the two countries will take the opportunity to consolidate the friendship between the two peoples and write a new chapter of the DPRK-China friendship.

For his part, Song conveyed Xi's greetings and wishes to Kim.

Song said that the two leaders held a historic meeting in Beijing and reached important consensus, which opened a new chapter of the China-DPRK relations.

He said that the visit of the Chinese art troupe to the DPRK aims to implement the consensus, enrich the China-DPRK friendship, promote exchanges and cooperation between the two parties and enhance cultural and artistic exchanges between the two countries.

He said that the Chinese art troupe felt that Kim, the WPK and the DPRK people attach great importance to China-DPRK relations, and also felt their show of friendship toward Xi, the CPC and the Chinese people from the moment the delegation arrived in Pyongyang.

The two sides also exchanged views on strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the two parties and two countries, as well as international and regional issues of common concerns.

Kim said he hopes he can learn from the experiences of the CPC and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two parties and countries.

Song said it is an unswerving policy of the CPC and the Chinese government to preserve, consolidate and develop relations with the DPRK.

China is willing to work with the DPRK to implement the important consensus reached between the top leaders and jointly contribute to promoting the development of bilateral relations in the new era, improving the welfare of the two peoples and safeguarding peace on the Korean Peninsula, Song said.

Kim and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, held a grand reception for the Chinese art troupe on Saturday night with participation of senior DPRK officials.