Officials from China, DPRK pledge consolidation of friendship

BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Senior officials from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Workers' Party of Korea of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) met on Tuesday, and vowed to further consolidate the two countries' friendship.

Zhou Yongkang, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Ri Myong Su, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party and a member of the National Defense Commission, held the meeting in Beijing on Tuesday.

Zhou said the traditional friendship between the two countries -- created and cultivated by veteran revolutionaries of the two countries and two parties -- was their valuable treasure.

He recalled his visit to the DPRK in 2010 when the country was celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea, as well as his meetings with "Comrade Kim Jong Il and Comrade Kim Jong Un."

Zhou said Kim Jong Il was a great leader of the DPRK and the Workers' Party, and a close friend of the Chinese people. He hoped the DPRK would maintain stability and realize social and economic development under the leadership of Kim Jong Un and the party.

Zhou added that to consolidate and develop a friendly relationship of cooperation with the DPRK is an unswerving principle of the Chinese government and the CPC.

The Chinese side is ready to join hands with the DPRK to continue to promote their traditional friendship and cooperation and contribute to regional peace, stability and common development, he said.

Zhou asked Ri to convey "cordial greetings" to Kim Jong Un from General Secretary Hu Jintao and himself.

Zhou called on the two sides to strengthen communication and fight against transborder crimes with further joint efforts, so as to help maintain the security and stability of the two countries and their border areas.

Ri, also minister of People's Security of DPRK, conveyed greetings from Kim Jong Un to the Chinese leaders.

He echoed Zhou saying the DPRK side was ready to further enhance the friendly relations between the two countries, two parties, as well as the cooperation between the People's Security Department and China's Ministry of Public Security.

Prior to the meeting, State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu held talks with Ri on Tuesday morning.

Meng said the communication and cooperation between the two ministries have made great contributions to the two countries' stability and safety.

"The two countries have strengthened cooperation on law enforcement since the two sides signed agreements on law enforcement last year. China hopes to further strengthen exchanges to promote bilateral cooperation in a pragmatic and mutually beneficial way," he added.

Ri said the DPRK attaches great importance to developing cooperative relations with China's Public Security Ministry and is willing to enhance pragmatic cooperation.