The series of events to celebrate the "Year of DPRK-China Friendship" in 2009 will help deepen the friendship between the two peoples and expand bilateral ties, the foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Monday.

The DPRK and China, the two close neighbors linked by common mountains and rivers, have enjoyed a long history of friendly cooperation, Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun said in a written interview with Xinhua.

The DPRK-China friendship, fostered by the older generation of leaders of the two countries, was a treasure for both peoples, Pak said.

The friendship has stood the test of the changing international situations and is entering a new stage of development, he said.

There have been frequent exchanges of visits by top officials of the two countries and they have also supported each other and coordinated well in the international arena, said Pak.

Constantly consolidating and developing the DPRK-China friendship serve the fundamental interests of the two peoples and is conducive to regional and world peace and stability, he said.

It is the persistent and unchangeable stand of the DPRK ruling party and government to develop the DPRK-China friendly cooperation, he said.

The DPRK highly values its ties with China and will work with China to continue to strengthen and develop their friendly cooperation in every field, he added.

Pak spoke highly of the great achievements the Chinese people have made under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

In 2008, the Chinese people, united as one, successfully overcame the worst snow disaster in a century and the devastating earthquake disaster in Sichuan province, he said.

Further more, the Chinese people successfully hosted the Beijing Olympic Games, demonstrating to the world the solidarity of the people and the national power of the country, Pak said.

Pak said 2009, which marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between the DPRK and China, is a year with profound meanings.

DPRK top leader Kim Jong Il noted in his New Year greetings to Chinese President Hu Jintao that managing well the events of the "Year of DPRK-China Friendship" would further enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, thus composing a new chapter in the DPRK-China history of friendly relations.

The "Year of DPRK-China Friendship," a new form of friendship and is being held for the first time in the history of bilateral ties, will greatly push forward bilateral relations between the two countries, Pak said.

The two sides are making efforts together to arrange the events, so as to present a colorful friendship year, he added.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and DPRK top leader Kim Jong Il exchanged New Year greeting messages on Jan. 1, announcing the launch of the "Year of DPRK-China Friendship."

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2009)