Wu Guanzheng (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Pak Yong Sok, Chairman of the Control Commission of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Sept. 4, 2004. Pak Yong Sok was here to attend the Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP). (Xinhua Photo/Fan Rujun)

    BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- China will consolidate and develop its friendly cooperation with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said here Saturday.

    China and the DPRK have developed the traditional China-DPRK friendship fostered by the older generation of leaders of the two countries, said Wu Guanzheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

    "It is an established policy for the Chinese government and the CPC to consolidate and develop China-DPRK friendly cooperation," he said, adding that China will make joint efforts with the DPRK to further promote bilateral relations based on the principles of "inheriting the past and looking forward to the future, being good friends and neighbors and strengthening cooperation."

    Wu made the remarks in a meeting with Pak Yong Sok, Chairman of the Control Commission of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), who is in Beijing for the Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

    More than 80 political parties or organizations from 34 Asian countries are attending the three-day ICAPP, which opened Friday morning. It is first such meeting ever hosted by the CPC.

    Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the WPK, paid a visit to China in April, during which he reached consensus with Chinese President Hu Jintao, also General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, on the development of relations between the WPK and the CPC, Wu said.

    In addition, the two countries will celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties on Oct. 6, he added.

    Pak congratulated the CPC on the successful convention of the ICAPP, and expressed appreciation for the CPC's efforts at the parties' meeting.

    He said Kim's visit to China marked a new milestone in the history of the traditional friendly cooperation between the two parties and the two countries.

    The DPRK is willing to join hands with China to advance ties under the guidelines of consensus reached by the top leaders of the two countries, he said. Enditem