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

The third point of his proposal is that both sides should strive to deepen cooperation in agriculture, light industry, information industry, technology, transportation and infrastructure construction in the border areas.

It should be a win-win cooperation, resulting in mutual benefits, the Chinese vice president said.

China will encourage large and creditable enterprises to invest in North Korea, he said, adding that the two sides could upgrade a number of ports to enhance their loading and unloading capacity.

Fourth, Xi proposed the promotion of bilateral cultural exchanges.

China will welcome artists' groups from North Korea to the 10th Asian Art Festival in September and will continue to send high-level art groups to the International Spring Art Festival held in Pyongyang each April, he said.

Finally, the Chinese vice president also proposed to strengthen bilateral coordination and cooperation in the six-party talks on North Korea nuclear issue, and within the framework of the United Nations, to protect the interests of both countries.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2008)