Present there on invitation were the Chinese art troupe led by Song Tao, head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Li Jinjun, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of his embassy.

On hand were Ri Su Yong, vice-chairman of the WPK Central Committee, Ri Chang Gun, vice department director of the C.C., WPK, and officials of the C.C., WPK and the Ministry of Culture.

Ri Su Yong made a speech at the reception.

He said that he gladly greets all comrades of the Chinese art troupe led by Song Tao, head of the International Liaison Department of the C.C., Communist Party of China, who came to Pyongyang with the warm and sincere friendship of the Chinese people with the Korean people as artistes of friendship who are carrying out the noble intentions of the supreme leaders of the two parties.

He noted that the visit to the DPRK by the famous large-scale art troupe of China at the time when the DPRK-China friendly relations enter into a fresh high phase with the historic first China visit by the Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea as an occasion is of weighty significance in carrying forward and developing the DPRK-China friendship as required by the new times and further consolidating the cornerstone of cultural exchange between the two countries.

He expressed belief that all comrades of the Chinese art troupe would proactively conduct good art activities as the pioneers of the DPRK-China cultural exchange in the future, too, and thus bring joy and encouragement to the peoples of the two countries. He also hoped that the Chinese art troupe's performing in the DPRK would register good success.

Song Tao spoke next.

He said that the current visit of the Chinese art troupe is the first footstep for carrying out the important agreement reached by the supreme leaders of the two parties and promoting the development of the China-DPRK friendly relations, and is significant cultural and art activities between China and DPRK.

Chairman Kim Jong Un took special steps while highly prioritizing the current visit of the Chinese art troupe, he said, expressing conviction that it would certainly bring about good success in the performing and decorate a new page in the friendly visit between the two parties and two countries.

The Chinese party and government sincerely hope that the economy of the DPRK would develop and its people enjoy a happy life, and are convinced that the Korean people would make greater progress in accomplishing the socialist cause under the guidance of the Workers' Party of Korea headed by Chairman Kim Jong Un, he added.

The reception proceeded in a fraternal and amicable atmosphere.