Chinese Vice-Premier Meets DPRK Vice FMChinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen affirmed Friday that it is a consistent policy of both the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government to further consolidate and promote relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).This policy is not only in the fundamental interests of the peoples of the two countries, but also conducive to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the Asia-Pacific region, said Qian during a meeting with DPRK Vice Foreign Minister Pak Gil You. Qian said the Sino-DPRK friendly relations have taken on a new look this year, citing the successful visit to China in January by General Secretary Kim Jong Il of the Central Committee of the DPRK Worker's Party, and the upcoming visit to the DPRK by President Jiang Zemin, who is also General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee. Qian expressed the hope that through concerted efforts of the two countries, the bilateral friendship would advance further. On the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Qian pointed out the northern and southern parts of the Peninsula are the two major parties concerned, and China supports all efforts by the two sides to seek better ties and to realize a peaceful unification. China also supports DPRK in improving and normalizing relations with the rest of the world, he said, stressing that China will, as always, play an active role in helping maintain the peace and stability, and push ahead the peace process on the Peninsula. Pak said General Secretary Kim Jong Il attaches great importance to DPRK's friendly relations with China, citing the fact that Kim visited China twice over the past year and more. Both the Party and the government of the DPRK are steadfast in their determination to further consolidate and develop bilateral relations, he said, adding that his Foreign Ministry will, in line with Kim's guidance, make more practical efforts in this respect. Pak also stressed that the DPRK would continue to independently promote the unification cause and contribute to the maintaining of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. On Thursday Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Pak and they exchanged views on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern and reached broad consensus. They both agreed to reinforce the exchanges and cooperation between the two foreign ministries in the new century. Pak is visiting China at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Prior to Beijing, he visited Liaoning and Jilin provinces in northeast China. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |