China, DPRK to further advance friendship, cooperation

China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have highlighted their shared commitment to advancing the two nations' traditional friendship and cooperation as they prepare to celebrate the 60th anniversary of a landmark bilateral treaty.

The latest consensus was unveiled during State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's meeting on Thursday with Lee Long-nan, the DPRK's newly appointed ambassador to China.

July marks the 60th anniversary of the signing of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in 1961.

The fundamental principle of the treaty is to promote friendly cooperation between China and the DPRK in various fields and maintain regional peace and security.

It pledges mutual economic and technological support to domestic development as well as military support to one another if either is invaded by a third country.

At the meeting on Thursday in Beijing, Wang said China is ready to work with the DPRK to ensure the success of events marking the anniversary, and they are expected to "strengthen coordination and cooperation on international and regional affairs".

Also, Beijing is ready to maintain high-level strategic communication with Pyongyang and earnestly promote pragmatic cooperation in various fields, Wang said.

In the past decades, officials from both sides have held events such as receptions to mark the treaty, and they defined it with terms such as "epoch-making" as it "laid a legal foundation for developing bilateral friendly ties".

Lee, the new envoy, echoed Wang's point on making the celebrations a success, saying that his country is ready to consolidate its traditional friendship with China and promote mutually beneficial cooperation.

The DPRK will unite closely with China in the process of jointly promoting their socialist cause and build on their unbreakable friendly relations, Lee added.

Since taking up his post in Beijing earlier this year, Lee has met with a number of senior diplomats, including Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao, to exchange views on issues of common concern, and both sides agreed to further implement the consensus reached by their top leaders and advance their relations.

On Thursday, State Councilor Wang welcomed Lee's taking up of his new post, saying that bilateral relations have entered a new historical period.

China is ready to offer support within its capacity to the DPRK's economic development and the improvement of people's livelihoods, and exchange experience in governance, Wang said.

China has always viewed its relations with the DPRK on a strategic level and is committed to deepening bilateral friendly cooperation from a long-term perspective, Wang added.