Zhao Leji met with Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers 'Party of Korea and Chairman of the State Councilor

Xinhua Agency, Pyongyang, April 13 (Reporter Wang Zhao) On April 13, Zhao Leji, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, who led a Chinese party and government delegation on an official goodwill visit to North Korea, met with Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers 'Party of Korea and Chairman of the State Councilor.

Zhao Leji began by conveying General Secretary Xi Jinping's cordial greetings and good wishes to Kim Jong-Un. Zhao Leji said that upon the entrustment of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee, he led the Chinese Party and government delegation to pay an official goodwill visit to the DPRK, and to attend the opening ceremony of the "Year of China-DPRK Friendship" event, receiving a warm reception from the DPRK Party and government. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-DPRK diplomatic ties. Over the past 75 years, the two sides have experienced neighborly friendship, fought shoulder to shoulder, shared a common destiny, and enjoyed common development. Under the new situation, China would like to work with the DPRK, in line with the lofty aspiration of the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries and the common aspiration of the two peoples, to promote greater development of China-DPRK relations.

Zhao Leji pointed out that the China-DPRK friendship was forged and cultivated by the older generation of revolutionaries of the two parties and two countries, had withstood the test of changing international circumstances, and was our common, valuable asset. The CPC and the Chinese Government always view China-DPRK relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and upholding, consolidating and developing China-DPRK traditional friendship and cooperation is our unswerving policy. China is willing to work with the DPRK side to promote new achievements in bilateral practical and mutually beneficial cooperation under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, continue to support each other and safeguard our common interests. China is willing to closely coordinate and cooperate with the DPRK side to organize various activities for the "China-DPRK Year of Friendship" successfully.

Zhao Leji stressed that China is comprehensively advancing its national rejuvenation and modernization in accordance with the strategic deployment of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. China is willing to strengthen development synergy and deepen bilateral cooperation with the DPRK, continuously enriching the connotation of China-DPRK relations.

Kim Jong Un asked Zhao Leji to convey his sincere greetings and best wishes to General Secretary Xi Jinping. Kim Jong Un said that the visit of the CPC and Chinese government delegation to the DPRK and their attendance at the opening ceremony of the "Year of DPRK-China Friendship" at the behest of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee fully demonstrated General Secretary Xi Jinping's friendly feelings toward the development of DPRK-China relations and powerfully showed that the DPRK-China relationship is deeply rooted and unbreakable.

Kim Jong Un warmly congratulated China for the achievements it has made in socialist development under the strong leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Communist Party of China, stressing that the DPRK-China relations boast profound historical traditions and have been passed down from generation to generation through thick and thin. To consolidate and develop the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and China is the firm policy of the DPRK Party and government, he said. The relations between the two countries are steadily developing to a new, higher stage in keeping with the requirements of the new era, he added. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of DPRK-China diplomatic relations and the "Year of DPRK-China Friendship", he said, adding that the DPRK side is willing to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese side in various fields and the exchange of experience in governance, deepen traditional friendship and open a new chapter in the DPRK-China relations.

When the delegation left Pyongyang, Choe Ryong-hae, standing member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, went to the airport to see them off.

On the afternoon of the 13th, Zhao Leji visited and comforted the staff of the Chinese Embassy in North Korea and representatives of overseas Chinese in North Korea.