Friendship between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and China will grow stronger this year through the joint efforts of both sides, Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the central committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, said Wednesday.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, and the "year of DPRK-China friendship".

Choe met with a delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) that was headed by Wang Jiarui, leader of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.

During the meeting, Choe said relations between the two parties have developed on good terms under deep care from their top leaders.

Wang said the relationship between the two countries deepened further in 2008.

China is ready to work with the DPRK this year to fix the events in the "year of China-DPRK friendship", gain experience and inspiration from 60-year ties, and draw a blueprint for the future development of bilateral relations in a bid to benefit the two peoples, Wang said.

The CPC delegation arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday at the invitation of the Worker's Party.

(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2009)