Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang Monday held talks on bilateral ties with Kim Yong Nam, top legislator of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Li said that, thanks to the care of both countries' top leaders and efforts made by both sides, the China-DPRK friendship has been constantly deepened, as evidenced by the frequent high-level exchanges.

Economic and trade cooperation between the two sides have also been continuously strengthened as their cooperation projects have made steady progress, he said, adding the two countries have also seen active cultural exchanges and maintained close communication and coordination in international and regional affairs.

Li said China is willing to work with the DPRK to continue to deepen their exchanges and cooperation in various fields and advance bilateral ties.

"China would like to strengthen communications with the DPRK through various channels to further deepen the understanding and friendship between the two peoples," he said.

He said China supported the DPRK's efforts in improving the external environment as well as the U.S.-DPRK dialogue, the improvement of North-South relations and the resumption of the Six-Party Talks, adding China would also strive to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeastern Asia.

Kim said the DPRK-China friendship has stood the tests of history and become firmer.

To constantly consolidate and develop DPRK-China friendship is the consistent position of the DPRK party and government, said Kim, a member of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK)'s Political Bureau.

The DPRK side is willing to work side by side with China to deepen cooperation in such fields as politics, economy and culture, said Kim, who is also chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK.