BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- With folk dances and
songs, China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Wednesday
unveiled their year-long exchange program, "China-DPRK Friendship Year."
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his DPRK counterpart,
Kim Yong Il, attended the premiere of friendship year, together with ministers
of foreign affairs, trade and culture of both countries.
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) and his
counterpart of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong
Il wave during a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the
establishment of the China-DPRK diplomatic relations and the launch of the
China-DPRK Friendship Year in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2009.
(Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)
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"It is of great significance for China and the DPRK
to stage the Friendship Year, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of
bilateral diplomatic relations," Wen said in a speech at the start of the gala.
Wen said the DPRK was among the first countries to
establish diplomatic relations with China. The two countries forged diplomatic
relations on Oct. 6, 1949, days after the People's Republic of China was
founded.
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) delivers
a speech as his counterpart of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(DPRK) Kim Yong Il listens during a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary
of the establishment of the China-DPRK diplomatic relations and the launch
of the China-DPRK Friendship Year in Beijing, capital of China, March 18,
2009. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)
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"The exchange program spells out the shared
aspiration of both countries to cherish their traditional friendship and commit
to good-neighbor cooperation," Wen said.
"With joint efforts, I am convinced that the
China-DPRK Friendship Year will reach its expected goals and yield fruitful
results," Wen said.
The year-long exchange program will cover a series of
cultural events like art performances, photo exhibitions and art shows.
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Premier of the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Il (L) delivers a speech as Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabao listens during a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary
of the establishment of the China-DPRK diplomatic relations and the launch
of the China-DPRK Friendship Year in Beijing, capital of China, March 18,
2009. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)
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Kim, who was on his first visit to China since taking
office in April 2007, said DPRK-China friendship was the common treasure of both
nations.
"Our party and government have paid much attention to
the bilateral friendship and committed themselves to promoting the development
of our traditional friendship," Kim said.
Kim said the DPRK would work with China to make the
Friendship Year a success.
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (2nd R, 2nd
Line) and his counterpart of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(DPRK) Kim Yong Il (3rd L, 2nd Line) wave as they pose for a group photo
with performers after the performance for the launch of the China-DPRK
Friendship Year in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2009. (Xinhua/Ma
Zhancheng)
Photo
Gallery>>> |
Following the leaders' speeches, more than 2,000
people from both countries watched an hour-long gala featuring folk songs and
dances from both countries.
During his five-day visit to China, Kim will also
meet with other Chinese state leaders.
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (6th R, 2nd
Line) and his counterpart of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(DPRK) Kim Yong Il (4th L, 2nd Line) wave as they pose for a group photo
with performers after the performance for the launch of the China-DPRK
Friendship Year in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2009. (Xinhua/Li
Tao)
Photo
Gallery>>> |
Chinese, DPRK premiers hold talks on
plan to boost ties
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets
with his counterpart of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)
Kim Yong Il at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China,
March 18, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
Photo
Gallery>>> |
BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao on Wednesday held talks with his counterpart from the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Yong Il. Full story
DPRK premier arrives in Beijing after Shandong tour
BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Il arrived in Beijing Wednesday afternoon after traveling to Shandong Province as part of his 5-day official goodwill visit to China.
During the first leg of his visit, Kim met with local provincial officials Tuesday in Jinan, capital of Shandong. He said the traditional bilateral friendship nurtured by leaders of older generations had witnessed sound development over the years. Full story
DPRK premier pledges closer ties with E China province
JINAN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Yong Il, has vowed closer cooperation with east China's Shandong Province.
Kim arrived in Beijing Tuesday before traveling to Jinan, capital of Shandong, on his first China trip as premier. The visit, made at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, is scheduled to end March 21. Full story
Premier of DPRK visits E China's Shandong Province
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Visiting Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Il(L) talks with Jiang Yikang (R), secretary of the Shandong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) during their meeting in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, March 17, 2009. Kim kicked off his official goodwill visit to China Tuesday.(Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)
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DPRK premier arrives in Jinan for China visit
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Visiting Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Il (FRONT) arrives in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, March 17, 2009. Kim kicked off his official goodwill visit to China Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)
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DPRK premier arrives in Beijing for China visit
BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Il arrived here Tuesday morning, kicking off his official goodwill visit to China.
During his five-day visit to China, Kim will meet and hold talks with Chinese state leaders, and attend a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the China-DPRK diplomatic relationship and the opening of the China-DPRK Friendship Year in 2009. Full story
