Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L) meets with Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea, in Pyongyang, capital of North Korea, June 17, 2008. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Tuesday made a five-point proposal to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation with North Korea.

Xi, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the proposal while meeting with Yang Hyong Sop, vice president of the Presidium of North Korean Supreme People's Assembly.

Firstly, Xi proposed maintaining the trend of mutual exchange of visits by high ranking officials, and strengthening political communication and close relations between the Chinese Communist Party and the Worker's Party of Korea.

China will continue to exchange views on governance and party construction with North Korea, maintaining communication on important issues, he said.

Second, he proposed the observance of "China-North Korea Friendship Year" in 2009 – the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.