Present there were Zheng Wantong, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Liu Jieyi, deputy head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, a vice-minister of Railways, Wu Donghe, chairman of the Sino-Korea Friendship Association, Liu Zhenmin, assistant to the foreign minister, and officials concerned.

On hand were Ji Jae Ryong, DPRK ambassador to China, and staff members of the embassy.

Ji Jae Ryong said in his speech at the reception that Kim Il Sung led the anti-Japanese war and the Fatherland Liberation War to victory, demonstrating the dignity and honor of the nation before the whole world, performed the immortal exploits in the Korean revolution and the cause of global independence and provided deep and strong historic roots of the DPRK-China friendship.

He stressed that General Secretary Kim Jong Il visited China twice last year, putting the traditional DPRK-China friendly relations on a new higher level. He reiterated the will to make all efforts to boost the DPRK-China friendship.

Zheng Wantong praised the President for performing undying exploits before the times and history, expressing belief that the Korean people would significantly commemorate the centenary of his birth as the greatest holiday.

Referring to the fact that the Sino-DPRK relations have entered a new phase of development under the deep care of the top leaders of the two parties and countries in recent years, he added that China would join the Korean comrades in the efforts to ensure that the traditional Sino-DPRK friendship would steadily develop and go down in history generation after generation.

Meanwhile, a reception was given by the DPRK consulate general in Shenyang on April 12.