Present there on invitation were the sports delegation of China led by Gou Zhongwen, minister of the General Administration of Sports, Li Jinjun, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and his embassy officials.

Present there were Choe Hwi, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the National Sports Guidance Committee, Kim Il Guk, minister of the Physical Culture and Sports, Ri Chang Gun and An Hong Chol, vice department directors of the Central Committee of the WPK, officials concerned, and sportspersons.

Choe Hwi made a speech at the reception.

The visit to the DPRK by the sports missions of China at a significant time when the Korean people are celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the WPK would contribute to further heightening the atmosphere of the DPRK-China relations and deepening the bonds of friendship and solidarity between the peoples of the two countries, he said.

He hoped the fraternal Chinese people would certainly realize the dream of China called prosperity of China and Chinese sportspersons would make active contribute to it with the wonderful results of games under the guidance of the Communist Party of China with General Secretary Xi Jinping at the core.

Gou Zhongwen made a speech next.

He said that the party and people of the DPRK united in single mind around Chairman Kim Jong Un are vigorously advancing the cause of socialism, extending congratulations to the Korean people on the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the WPK.

Korean sportspersons demonstrated the great mentality of the Korean people with great achievements at the recent international games, he said, stressing that strengthening of sports exchange and collaboration would contribute to spurring the development of bilateral friendly relations.