Present there on invitation were Col. General Liang Guanglie, minister of National Defense who doubles as a state councilor of the People's Republic of China, and his party and Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and the military, naval and air attache of his embassy.

On hand were Vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army Kim Yong Chun, vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and minister of the People's Armed Forces, Pak Jae Gyong, vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces, generals and officers of the KPA.

Kim Yong Chun said at the reception: The visit to the DPRK by the Chinese defense minister will be of support and encouragement to the Korean army and people in the efforts to build a thriving nation under the Songun revolutionary leadership of Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il, and mark an important occasion in promoting the development of the traditional relations of friendship between the armies of the two countries.

He noted that the DPRK-China friendship provided by President Kim Il Sung together with the Chinese leaders of elder generation has been strengthened under the deep care of the top leaders of the two countries.

It is the fixed stand of the Korean army and people to invariably consolidate and develop the DPRK-China friendship which has stood all trials of history, he said.

He noted that the Chinese army and people have made great successes in building a harmonious socialist society based on the scientific outlook on development under the leadership of the Communist Party of China with Hu Jintao as its general secretary.

He heartily wished the Chinese army and people bigger successes in their efforts to build socialism of Chinese characteristics.

Liang Guanglie said in his speech that they came to the DPRK, a friendly neighbor, with the warm friendship of the people and army of China toward the people and army of the DPRK. He expressed deep thanks for cordial hospitality accorded to them.

He noted that he witnessed for himself the Sino-DPRK friendly relations sealed in blood while staying in the DPRK as a soldier of the Chinese People's Volunteers more than 50 years ago.

No force on earth can break the unity of the armies and peoples of the two countries and it will last forever, he noted.

He recalled that the Sino-DPRK friendly and cooperative relations which have steadily grown strong thanks to the efforts of the two sides have contributed to positively promoting socialist construction in the two countries and defending peace and stability in the region.

We are pleased with the great achievements made by the people and army of the DPRK in the building of a thriving nation in the spirit of self-reliance and fortitude under the leadership of
Kim Jong Il and the Workers' Party of Korea, he noted.

It is the desire of the two peoples to further consolidate and develop the Sino-DPRK friendly and cooperative relations, he said, adding: We will make positive efforts to do so with Korean comrades.