3rd Ld Writethru: Senior CPC leader meets with DPRK's Kim, delivers letter from Xi

A senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Friday night presented here a signed letter from CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping to Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

During his meeting with Kim, first secretary of the DPRK's ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), Liu Yunshan also conveyed Xi's cordial greetings and best wishes to the DPRK leader.

Liu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, is heading a CPC delegation to attend activities marking the 70th founding anniversary of the WPK.

Xi said in the letter that the China-DPRK traditional friendship, which had been created and cultivated by older generations of leadership 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.

Under the new circumstance, the Chinese side is willing to seek closer communication and deepen cooperation, pushing for a long-term, healthy and stable development of the Sino-DPRK ties, said the letter.

Kim extended his heart-felt thanks for Xi's letter and asked Liu to convey his greetings and best wishes to Xi.

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.

While expressing his gratitude for such arrangement, the top DPRK leader said the current visit is sure to play an important role in carrying on the DPRK-China friendship and expanding the bilateral relations.

Earlier on Friday, Xi sent a message to Kim Jong Un to congratulate him on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the WPK.

Liu, who arrived here on Friday morning for a four-day visit, expressed his appreciation of the achievements the DPRK had scored, saying that the CPC and the Chinese people are very happy about that.

Kim also expressed his appreciation of China's achievements, saying that he hoped for early realization of Chinese dream and great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

On bilateral relations, Liu said China and the DPRK should enhance high-level political communication, step up exchange at all levels, advance pragmatic cooperation in fields including trade and economy, so as to create a new future for bilateral relationship.

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.

He said the DPRK is willing to continue the exchange of high-level visits, enhance communication and pragmatic cooperation on a wide range of fields, noting that concerted efforts from both sides are sure to create a promising future.

On the issue of the Korean Peninsula, Liu said maintaining peace and stability of the Korean peninsula benefits all sides, which calls for joint 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 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. Endit