Present there on invitation were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Choe Chang Sik, minister of Public Health who is chairman of the Central Committee of the DPRK-China Friendship Association, Kang Nung Su, minister of Culture, Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Ku Pon Thae, vice-minister of Foreign Trade, Ryang Hak Sun, vice-minister of Education, Jon Yong Jin, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and officials concerned.

Staff members of the Chinese embassy were on hand.

Speaking at the reception, Liu Xiaoming referred to the fact that high-level intercourse has been briskly conducted between the two countries this year marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties.

Exchanges and cooperation between the two countries have been further promoted in all fields under the deep care of their top leaders, he noted.

He said that the Korean people have made long strides in their drive to open the gate to a great prosperous and powerful nation under the leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong Il and the Workers' Party of Korea.

He heartily hoped that the Korean people would achieve greater success under the leadership of Kim Jong Il in the new year marking the 65th anniversary of the WPK.

Yang Hyong Sop said in his speech that the solidity of the traditional DPRK-China friendship has been displayed through the observance of "year of DPRK-China friendship" this year.

The bilateral friendship provided by revolutionaries of the elder generation is a common treasure, he noted.

He sincerely hoped that the Chinese people would make bigger successes in the future under the leadership of the Communist Party of China with Hu Jintao as its general secretary.

He expressed belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would be strengthened in conformity with the desire and interests of the two peoples by their joint efforts in the new year, too.

Meanwhile, the Chinese consul-general in Chongjin gave a reception on the same occasion that day.

Earlier, on Dec. 28 Liu Xiaoming hosted a party at the embassy for officials of the DPRK Foreign Ministry.