Present there on invitation were the head of the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China who is member of its Political Bureau, the permanent deputy head of the Organization Department of the C.C., CPC, a deputy head of the International Liaison Department of the C.C., CPC and the secretary-general of the Organization Department of the C.C., CPC and a vice-minister of Railways, a vice-minister of Culture, vice-presidents of the People's Daily and the Xinhua News Agency, the chairman of the China-Korea Friendship Association, an assistant to the foreign minister, a vice-president of the Academy of Military Sciences and other officials concerned of China.

Speeches were made at the reception.

Choe Jin Su, DPRK ambassador to China, noted that Kim Jong Il has reliably defended the Korean-style socialist system and sovereignty of the nation and protected peace and security in Northeast Asia with his unique Songun politics and made undying contribution to strengthening the traditional DPRK-China friendship.

The Korean people are sure to win as there are the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il, the unbreakable single-minded unity of the Party, the army and the people around the headquarters of the revolution, the powerful military strength and the solid foundation of the independent economy, he said.

The ambassador expressed the will to strive to steadily develop in depth the DPRK-China friendly and cooperative relations as intended by the top leaders of the two countries.

Li Yuanchao, head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, said that General Secretary Kim Jong Il enjoys respect and love from the Workers' Party of Korea and all the servicepersons and people of the DPRK as he has made signal successes in building Korean-style socialism while leading the Party and the people for a long period.

He expressed belief that under the guidance of the WPK headed by Kim Jong Il the Korean people would make this year a year of weighty significance in the history of state development by perfectly carrying out the tasks laid down in the joint New Year editorial and win a greater victory in building a thriving nation, improving the external relations and achieving the independent and peaceful reunification of the country.

It is the fixed strategic policy of the Chinese party and government to steadily develop the Sino-DPRK friendly and cooperative relations, he said, adding: We, together with the comrades of the DPRK, will boost the cooperation and exchange in all fields and constantly give fresh energy and momentum to the traditional bilateral friendship, thus building the rosier future of the above-said relations.