Present there on invitation were the delegation led by Chen Zhili, vice-chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the CNPC, Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of his embassy.

On hand were Chairman Choe Thae Bok and Vice-chairwoman Hong Son OK of the SPA, Deputy to the SPA Song Ja Rip, chairman of the DPRK-China Friendship Parliamentary Group, and officials concerned.

Hong Son Ok, addressing the reception, said that the delegation's visit to the DPRK would mark a meaningful occasion in boosting the DPRK-China relations of friendship and cooperation.

She referred to the fact that the traditional DPRK-China friendship provided by President
Kim Il Sung together with revolutionaries of the elder generation of China has steadily developed on good terms under the deep care of the top leaders of the two countries.

It is the consistent stand of the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government to develop the DPRK-China friendship generation after generation, she noted, adding that the Korean people would firmly join hands with the Chinese people to boost the DPRK-China friendly and cooperative relations in the future, too.

Chen Zhili said in her speech that it is the consistent policy of the party and the government of China to consolidate and develop the Sino-DPRK relations of good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation.

She referred to the fact that the exchanges and celebrations that took place this year, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, contributed to developing the friendly relations between the two countries.

Noting that she is pleased with the great achievements made by the Korean people in the spirit of self-reliance and fortitude under the leadership of the WPK headed by General Secretary Kim Jong Il, she sincerely wished them fresher success in various domains.