Present there on invitation were O Su Yong, vice-premier of the Cabinet, Kang Nung Su, minister of Culture, Choe Chang Sik, minister of Public Health who is chairman of the Central Committee of the DPRK-China Friendship Association, and others.

The ambassador said in his speech at the reception that colorful functions held by the two countries after setting this year as a "year of China-DPRK friendship" contributed to promoting friendship between the two peoples and strengthening cooperation in various fields.

The significant celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the DPRK contributed to inheriting the tradition, strengthening good neighborly friendship and developing China-DPRK friendship, he added.

Noting that China-DPRK relations are now at a new historical point, he called for holding hands with each other and making efforts to open up a new chapter of China-DPRK friendship.

O Su Yong in his speech referred to the fact that since the establishment of the diplomatic ties the two countries have steadily boosted the friendly bonds, supporting and cooperating with each other in political, military, economic, cultural and all other fields.

He stressed that both sides set this year as a "year of the DPRK-China friendship" and briskly exchanged high-level delegations and held diverse and colorful events, powerfully demonstrating before the world the will of the two parties, governments and peoples to steadily develop the bilateral relations on good terms.

Referring to the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries that have invariably grown stronger, he stressed that the people of the DPRK would strive together with the Chinese people to develop this friendship.

Meanwhile, a reception was given at the Chinese Consulate General in Chongjin on the same occasion on Tuesday.