China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) signed an agreement for a three-year cultural exchange program, it was announced in Beijing Thursday.

The agreement was announced as Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong met with Mun Jae Chol, who led a DPRK cultural delegation to Beijing.

Neither side released details of the program.

In January, Chinese President Hu Jintao and top DPRK leader Kim Jong Il declared "China-DPRK Friendship Year" for 2009, which is the 60th anniversary of China-DPRK diplomatic ties, Liu said.

"The friendship year symbolizes the continuous development of bilateral relations," Liu said.

Liu said he expected both countries to take this opportunity to promote cultural and person-to-person exchanges and cooperation, with a view to cementing traditional friendship and working for the cultural prosperity of both countries.

(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2009)