Present there on invitation were a friendship delegation of China led by Zhang Dejiang, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Communist Party of China and vice-premier of the State Council, a delegation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the China-Korea Friendship Association headed by Wu Donghe, chairman of the China-Korea Friendship Association, Ambassador Liu Hongcai and staff members of the Chinese embassy here and Chinese guests staying in the DPRK.

Present there were Choe Thae Bok, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Ro Tu Chol, vice-premier of the Cabinet, Kim Jong Suk, chairwoman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, Ri Yong Chol, vice department director of the WPK Central Committee, Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Ku Pon Thae, vice-minister of Foreign Trade, and officials concerned.

Kim Jong Suk recalled in her speech that President Kim Il Sung signed the DPRK-China treaty of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance together with Premier Zhou Enlai, reflecting the desire of the peoples of the two countries to boost the DPRK-China friendship.

It is the steadfast stand of the WPK and the DPRK government to develop the bilateral friendship generation after generation, she noted.

She wished the Chinese people greater progress in their drive to successfully carry out the 12th Five-Year Plan, put into practice the scientific outlook on development and build a harmonious socialist society under the leadership of the CPC with Hu Jintao as its general secretary.

Zhang Dejiang said in a speech that General Secretary Kim Jong Il visited China several times, having historical meetings with General Secretary Hu Jintao and reaching common understanding of the issues of bilateral relations and mutual concern.

China will together with the Korean comrades strive to put the Sino-DPRK relations on to a steady new stage as intended by the top leaders of the two countries, he noted.

He expressed belief that the diligent and brave Korean people would overcome difficulties and register greater successes in various fields under the leadership of the WPK headed by General Secretary Kim Jong Il and thus significantly greet the centenary of birth of President Kim Il Sung and open the gate to a thriving nation.