China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) pledged yesterday to continue promoting bilateral ties.

Prior to a reception held by the DPRK Embassy in Beijing to mark the 55th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK Workers' Party, President Jiang Zemin told DPRK ambassador to Beijing Chu Chang-jun that it is the unswerving and long-term policy of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government to consolidate and develop friendly ties with the DPRK.

Such efforts are not only in accordance with the common wishes and fundamental interests of both peoples, but also conducive to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region and the world at large, said Jiang, who is also the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

China is willing to work with the DPRK Workers' Party, the DPRK government and its people to ensure continuing friendly bilateral ties by enhancing co-operation, said Jiang.

The two neighbouring countries have long enjoyed friendship. Bilateral ties were further enhanced last May when General Secretary of the DPRK Workers' Party Kim Jong-il visited Beijing. The leaders of the two countries decided on a framework for the future development of bilateral ties during that visit.

Ambassador Chu, in his speech delivered at the reception, said that the DPRK government has always treasured and worked to consolidate and develop ties with China.

He spoke highly of China's progress made under the guidance of the CPC and wished China greater achievements in the reunification.

Jiang, both in his meeting with Chu and in an earlier letter of congratulation, applauded the achievements of the Korean people made under the guidance of the DPRK Workers' Party in the past 55 years.

Noting the party's long history of revolutionary struggle, Jiang recalled that it was under its leadership that the Korean people established the DPRK, safeguarded the country's national sovereignty and dignity and made incessant progress in socialist construction.

In recent years, the party has led the Korean people to make a series of remarkable achievements in building a socialist country with DPRK characteristics, in improving inter-Korean relations and in developing good relations with other countries, Jiang said.

The CPC, the Chinese government and its people heartily rejoice at these accomplishments, Jiang said.

China is confident that the DPRK Workers' Party under the leadership of Kim Jong-il will lead the people of the DPRK to achieve even greater successes in socialist construction, national independence, peaceful unification and foreign relations, said Jiang.

(China Daily 10/10/2000)