China and DPRK to further develop ties

China hopes to strengthen communications between the foreign affairs departments of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to implement the important consensus the two countries' leaders reached and promote development of bilateral ties, Vice-Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou said on Thursday.

Kong made the remarks while meeting with DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho in Pyongyang. He was on a three-day visit to the DPRK, that ended on Friday.

He said it is a firm policy of China to maintain, consolidate and develop ties with the DPRK, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry.

Kong said China supports the DPRK and the United States in carrying out the consensus their leaders reached in the summit in June, and supports the DPRK and the Republic of Korea in promoting reconciliation and cooperation.

Kong also added that China hopes to work with all parties to push forward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the process of building a peace mechanism there.

Ri said the party and the government of the DPRK will work with China for continued development of bilateral ties, and that the DPRK hopes to strengthen communication and cooperation with China.