A senior Chinese official visited the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and met its top leader Kim Jong Un on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the country's ruling party.
Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presented a signed letter from CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping to Kim during a meeting with him.
Liu is heading a CPC delegation to attend activities marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK's ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
Xi said in the letter that the China-DPRK traditional friendship, which had been created and cultivated by older generations of leaders from both countries, is a common wealth that should be treasured by both sides.
The CPC and the Chinese government have attached vital importance to the China-DPRK ties and have been striving to treat the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective in a bid to maintain, consolidate and expand the bilateral relations, said the letter.
In the new circumstances, the Chinese side is willing to seek closer communication and deepen cooperation, pushing for a long-term, healthy and stable development of the China-DPRK ties, said the letter.
Kim said it shows sincere friendship from the Chinese side by sending a delegation headed by Liu to attend the activities marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the WPK.
Kim said the DPRK-China friendship is the biggest heritage of diplomacy inherited from late DPRK President Kim Il Sung and late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il, adding that it is the firm and resolute position of the WPK and the government of the DPRK to carry on and expand the bilateral friendship.
On the issue of the Korean Peninsula, Liu said maintaining peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula benefits all sides and requires efforts from all sides concerned.
China is willing to work with the DPRK to strive for early resumption of the six-party talks on the nuclear issue, said Liu.
Kim said the DPRK needs a peaceful and stable external environment as it is striving to develop the economy and improve people's livelihood.
He also said the DPRK is willing to make efforts to improve relations between the North and the South and safeguard the stability of the peninsula.
Liu also held talks with Choe Ryong Hae, secretary of the WPK Central Committee, on Friday.
