Pyongyang, October 23 (KCNA) -- DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, met and had a friendly talk with Li Keqiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Communist Party of China and vice-premier of the State Council of China who paid a courtesy call on him at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Sunday.

Present there were You Quan, deputy secretary-general of the State Council, Zhang Zhijun, executive vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Chen Yuan, managing director of the China Development Bank, Liu Hongcai, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, Liu Jieyi, deputy head of the International Liaison Department of the C.C., CPC, Liu Tienan, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Committee, Chen Jian, vice-minister of Commerce, Ning Jizhe,deputy director of the Policy Research Office of the State Council, and other suite members.

Also present there were Ro Tu Chol, vice-premier of the DPRK Cabinet who doubles chairman of the State Planning Commission, Kim Song Nam, vice department director of the C.C., WPK, Kim Song Gi, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Ku Pon Thae, vice-minister of Foreign Trade, Ri Yong Sok, deputy director of the Secretariat of the Cabinet, and officials concerned.

Li Keqiang said a series of visits paid by General Secretary Kim Jong Il to China put the relations between the two parties and states on a new higher stage.

It is the steadfast stand of the party and government of China to develop the friendly and cooperative relations with the DPRK, Li said, expressing his intention to boost exchange and cooperation with it.

He recalled that General Secretary Hu Jintao courteously invited Kim Jong Il to visit China.

He wished the Korean people greater success in the efforts to build a thriving nation under the leadership of the WPK led by Kim Jong Il.