Present there on invitation were Ambassador Choe Jin Su and staff members of the DPRK embassy in Beijing. Minister Cai Wu and the vice-minister of Culture of China and other officials concerned were on hand.

Cai Wu said at the reception that 55 years ago, Premier Zhou Enlai and President Kim Il Sung signed the said agreement to indicate the orientation of development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries after they won the great victory in the joint struggle against the imperialist aggression.

The agreement gave a strong impetus to the development of the cause of socialist construction in the two countries and set an example of friendship and cooperation among countries in the economy and culture, he noted, adding: There have been serious changes in the international situation in the 21st century. But, the two countries have steadily achieved fresh victories in socialist construction by their joint efforts and the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two parties, the two countries and the two peoples have been constantly consolidated and developed.

Choe Jin Su said that the conclusion of the agreement laid a solid foundation for further consolidating the DPRK-China friendship and steadily expanding and developing exchange and cooperation in the economy and culture. This year alone, both sides have fully demonstrated the vitality of the agreement through brisk exchange and cooperation in various domains.

He expressed belief that exchange and cooperation in the economy, culture and other various domains would further develop by the joint efforts of both sides in 2009 marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and thus record a new brilliant chapter in the history of the DPRK-China friendship.