Displayed in the venue of the ceremony were photos on the China visit by General Secretary Kim Jong Il last year, the performances of opera "A Dream of Red Mansions" given by the Phibada Opera Troupe in China, those introducing China and handicrafts made by Chinese.

Present there were Jon Yong Jin, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, members of the DPRK-China Friendship Association, officials concerned and working people in the city.

Liu Hongcai, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of his embassy and Chinese guests staying in the DPRK were among those present there.

Jon Yong Jin and Liu Hongcai spoke at the opening ceremony.

Kim Jong Il visited China twice last year and made undying contribution to the development of the bilateral friendly relations, the speakers said.

They expressed the will to boost the traditional friendly relations provided and cultivated by the revolutionaries of the elder generation this year, too, which marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the DPRK-China Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.

The participants enjoyed a DPRK-China joint folk music performance presented by teachers and students of Pyongyang Kim Won Gyun Conservatory and artistes of the Dandong City Song and Dance Troupe.