Answering a question by VOA over the demise of leader Kim Jong Il on Dec. 29, the spokesperson said:

China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors. After the demise of Kim Jong Il, the supreme leader of the DPRK, the Chinese side expressed deep condolences in various forms.

What I want to emphasize is our belief that the Korean people would continue pushing forward the socialist cause by turning sorrow into strength under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea and Comrade Kim Jong Un.

China and the DPRK are states of traditional good-neighborly and friendly ties.

We will make joint efforts with the DPRK side to steadily consolidate the friendship between the two parties, countries and peoples and defend peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the region.