Cabinet Premier of North Korea Pak Bong-ju on Tuesday met with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on bilateral ties, international and regional issues of common concern.

 

During the meeting, Hui conveyed to Pak an oral message of greeting from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

 

Hui praised the development of bilateral exchanges and economic cooperation between the two countries, saying they are important components of the Sino-North Korean relations.

 

China is ready to further promote future exchanges and cooperation with North Korea on the basis of the principle of mutual benefit, Hui said.

 

Hui also noted that the Sino-North Korean traditional friendship is of a strong vitality in the new era.

 

Pak said North Korea always attaches importance to the traditional friendship with China, and his country is willing to further deepen the economic and trade cooperation with it.

 

Chinese and North Korean officials on Monday signed an agreement to further strengthen technological exchanges and economic cooperation between the two nations.

 

The Chinese vice premier, who arrived in Pyongyang Monday for an official goodwill visit, attended commemorative events to mark the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance Treaty between China and North Korea.

 

Wu Dawei, Chinese vice foreign minister and chief negotiator for the six-party talks, accompanied Hui on the visit.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 12, 2006)