President Xi meets DPRK foreign minister

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Beijing on Friday, calling for more efforts to advance the long-term, healthy and steady development of bilateral relations.

Xi asked Ri to convey his cordial greetings to Kim Jong-un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of DPRK.

Xi said that during Kim's three visits to China this year, the two leaders had a thorough and in-depth exchange of views over major issues including deepening China-DPRK friendly cooperation as well as promoting regional peace, stability and development.

"I'm happy to witness the effective implementation of the important consensus reached by the two sides," Xi added.

The year of 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and the DPRK. "The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government highly value China-DPRK relations, and this is a principle that China unswervingly adheres to," Xi said.

"Currently, the relations between the two countries have ushered in a new chapter," he said.

Talking about celebration activities for the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, he called on the two sides to take the occasion to promote the long-term, healthy and steady development of bilateral relations.

The Chinese side supports the DPRK people to explore a development path suited to its national conditions under the leadership of Kim, and hopes that the DPRK will have a promising future in all its endeavors, the president said.

Xi pointed out that since the beginning of the year, the situation on the Korean Peninsula has taken on positive changes, as evidenced by the fact that the Korean Peninsula issue has come back to the right track of political settlement.

He expressed the hope that the DPRK and the United States meet each other halfway, and accommodate legitimate concerns of the other side, so as to ensure continuous and positive progress in the peace talks over the peninsula issue.

"China will, as always, support the amelioration of inter-Korean relations and facilitate reconciliation and cooperation between the two sides," Xi said.

The president urged diplomatic services of China and the DPRK to strengthen communication and make concerted efforts to advance China-DPRK relations and the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue.

For his part, Ri conveyed Kim's cordial greetings and best wishes to Xi.

A series of important consensus reached between the two countries' leaders during Kim's visits to China this year serves as guidance for elevating the traditional friendly relations to a new level, Ri said.

Ri said the DPRK is willing to work with China to hold well celebration activities marking the 70th anniversary of DPRK-China diplomatic relations next year, consolidate the traditional friendship with China and enhance bilateral cooperation.

He also said the DPRK is committed to denuclearization on the Peninsula, and is ready to keep close communication and coordination with China over peace and stability on the Peninsula and in the region.