Present there on invitation were Zhang Qingli, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Luo Zhaohui, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yajun, deputy head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and officials concerned.

Ji Jae Ryong, DPRK ambassador to China, and staff members of his embassy were on hand.

Ji Jae Ryong, in his speech, said that the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was a historic occasion which powerfully propelled the development of the DPRK-China relations of friendship, noting that for the past 70 years the two parties and the peoples of the two countries have defended and glorified the cause of socialism, braving all upheavals of the times.

He stressed that the five rounds of meeting between the top leaders of the two countries served as a special event in which the friendly relations between the two countries have been developed into a new high level as required by the new era.

He pointed out that the deep comradely trust and special relations between the top leaders of the two countries are the firm foundations of the relations between the two parties and two countries.

Zhang Qingli said in his speech that the establishment of diplomatic relations between the newly-born new China and the DPRK 70 years ago was an important event of great significance.

He stressed that the traditional China-DPRK friendship personally provided and developed by the leaders of the elder generation of the two countries have become a common wealth which is never affected by any change in the international situation.

He pointed out that the bilateral friendship is displaying a fresh viability as General Secretary Xi Jinping and Chairman Kim Jong Un are carrying forward and furthering the China-DPRK friendship.

Meanwhile, receptions were given at the DPRK missions in Shenyang, Dandong and Hong Kong of China between Oct. 7 and 9.