China and the Democratic People ' s Republic of Korea (DPRK) vowed Thursday to further develop their relations under the spirit of their Treaty of Friendly Cooperation and Mutual Assistance signed on July 11, 1961.
The determination was expressed by DPRK President Kim Jong Il and visiting vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress Jiang Chunyun during their meeting here.
Kim welcomed the visit of Jiang, also a political bureau member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, who came here to attend activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty.
Kim said that the treaty has showed vitality in the development of relations between the two nations, which will not change in the future.
He said that the celebrating activities held by the two countries embodied their deep-rooted friendship.
According to Kim, to further develop relations between the two countries is the firm stands of the Worker's Party of Korea. The DPRK gives priority to the strengthening of relations with China in the development of foreign relations, he said.
Speaking on the same occasion, Jiang said that the treaty signed 40 years ago is a milestone in the history of relations between the two countries and serves as a legal foundation for the development of their relations in all fields.
Jiang said that to continuously consolidate and develop Sino- DPRK relations is an unswerving policy of the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China. No matter how the world situation changes, China will not change its stand on fostering Sino-DPRK relations.
(Xinhua News Agency 07/13/2001)
