Present there on invitation were Ri Ryong Nam, vice-premier of the Cabinet, Ri Chang Gun, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), Ri Kil Song, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Army Colonel General Kim Hyong Ryong who is vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces, O Ryong Chol, vice-minister of External Economic Relations, Pak Kyong Il, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who is also chairman of the DPRK-China Friendship Association, Kim Ik Song, director of the Bureau for Affairs with Diplomatic Corps, and officials concerned.

Li Jinjun, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and his embassy members and Chinese guests staying here were on hand.

Li Jinjun said in his speech that the traditional and invincible China-DPRK friendship has taken a deep hold upon the minds of the peoples of the two countries and become stronger as the days goes by.

He stressed that he is pleased to see the achievements made by the Korean people in the building of the Korean-style socialism by concentrating all efforts upon the economic development and improvement of people's living under the guidance of the Workers' Party of Korea led by Chairman Kim Jong Un.

He noted that China will take hands in hands with the DPRK to hew out tomorrow of the China-DPRK relations by implementing the agreement between the top leaders of the two countries.

Ri Ryong Nam said in his speech that the bilateral relations have developed in line with common interests of the peoples of the two countries despite the complicated international situation for seven decades since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and the PRC.

He expressed the steadfast stand of the DPRK government to creditably carry forward the excellent tradition of the DPRK-China friendship and bring about a rich fruition in the friendly and cooperative relations.

The DPRK fully supports the Chinese government and people in their struggle to defend security and core interests of the country and achieve the sustainable development, he said.