Wang Gang (R), a Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee member and vice chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, shakes hands with Paek Kye Ryong, head of?North Koran delegation and secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea committee of the Ministry of Forestry, in Beijing, China, on April 1, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Relations between China and North Korea have become even more solid and mature, a Communist Party of China (CPC) senior official said in Beijing on Tuesday.

Wang Gang, a Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee member, made the remark when meeting with a delegation from the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).

North Korean delegation was headed by Paek Kye Ryong, secretary of the WPK committee of the Ministry of Forestry.

Wang, also National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) vice chairman, said the CPC and the government treasured and placed a great importance on friendship with?North Korea. He reiterated that continuously reinforcing and developing friendly, good-neighborly and cooperative relations between China and North Korea?was a firm and unchangeable strategic principle.

He said in recent years, China-North Korea?relations had become even more solid and mature, playing an important role in promoting development of the two countries and maintaining the peace and stability in the region.

Wang said China was ready to join efforts with North Korea to continue to advance bilateral relations.

Paek said the WPK had always maintained a consistent stance to consolidate and develop friendly and cooperative relations between North Korea and China. He said it is in the basic interest of the people of both countries. He expressed belief that under the joint efforts of both sides, the friendly and cooperative relations would achieve further growth.

Paek congratulated China on its success in combating the freezing rains and snowstorms. He wished the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to be a total success.

(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2008)