China will continue to cherish its strong relationship with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), President Jiang Zemin said yesterday on the anniversary of a crucial bilateral treaty.
Jiang met with a DPRK delegation headed by Secretary-General Kim Yun-hyok of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly to remind the world of the Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation and Mutual Assistance between the two countries.
The treaty, signed by the elder-generation leaders of the two countries, laid a solid foundation for the advancement of bilateral relations, he said.
That treaty has served to further the hopes and dreams of both peoples and maintain peace and stability in the region, Jiang said.
Jiang expressed his thanks for the letter of congratulations sent by Kim Jong-il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee, on the 80th anniversary of the Communist Party of China and his attendance at a celebration banquet held at the Chinese embassy in Pyongyang.
On the Korean Peninsula issue, Jiang said that China, as a close friend and neighbour, is very concerned about the latest developments in the situation.
The summit meeting between the north and south last year was a remarkable event that served to ease the tension and improve bilateral relations, Jiang said.
China will firmly support reconciliation and possible reunification between the north and the south.
Kim said that the joint declaration between the two sides of the Korean Peninsula issued on June 15, 2000 paved the way for independent reunification of the two sides.
The DPRK will, in the spirit of the joint declaration, eliminate all obstacles to accomplish the reunification, said Kim.
Kim and his party arrived yesterday morning as guests of the Chinese Government.
The two sides exchanged anniversary messages yesterday. The treaty was signed by Chinese late Premier Zhou Enlai and DPRK's late President Kim Il-sung on July 11, 1961.
In Pyongyang, Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly met Jiang Chunyun, visiting vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress. Jiang's delegation was taking part in the activities to celebrate the friendship treaty.
(China Daily 07/11/2001)
