The Friendship Year, marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), was formally inaugurated with an April 11-13 visit to the Korean capital Pyongyang by a Chinese party and government delegation led by Zhao Leji, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC).
Zhao Leji met with DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and President of the State Affairs of the DPRK, towards the end of his visit.
Zhao extended to Kim the kind regards and good wishes of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the DPRK, and the journey of the past 75 years epitomised good neighbourliness and friendship as the two countries stood side by side, fighting together and sharing a common destiny and common development, he said.
Zhao pointed out that the China-DPRK friendship, established and cultivated meticulously by the elder generations of revolutionists of both parties and both countries, has withstood various tests of the changing international situation and is an invaluable asset of the two countries.
The CPC and the Chinese government have always treated the China-DPRK relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, and it is China’s unwavering policy to maintain, consolidate and develop the China-DPRK traditional friendly and cooperative relations.
Kim Jong Un extended his warm congratulations over the development achievements that China has made in the pursuit of its socialist cause under the strong leadership of General Secretary Xi and the CPC. He stressed that the DPRK-China relations have boasted a profound historical tradition, having withstood various tests and been passed on from generation to generation.
It is the unwavering policy of the WPK and the DPRK government to consolidate and develop the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries. The relationship is continuously developing to new and higher stages in line with the demands of the new era.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) added that Kim Jong Un affirmed that it is his consistent stand and the invariable and steadfast policy of the WPK and the government of the DPRK to develop the long-standing DPRK-China friendship decade after decade and century after century, expressing his expectation that the common will of the two parties and the two countries to dynamically promote the socialist cause and provide their peoples with substantial well-being by steadily carrying forward and developing these durable traditions of friendship would lead to responsible progress and successful fruition of the Year of DPRK-China Friendship.
Offering sincere congratulations to the Chinese party, government and people for registering remarkable successes in the struggle for implementing the tasks set forth at the 20th National Congress of the CPC, he expressed his hope that the fraternal Chinese people would make a more brilliant step forward in carrying out the historic task of building a modern and powerful socialist country this year marking the 75th founding anniversary of the PRC under the guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping.
Following the talks, at a luncheon he hosted, Kim Jong Un proposed a toast to the eternal development of socialism in the two countries, longevity, and good health of General Secretary Xi Jinping and to the successful DPRK visit of the party and government delegation of the PRC led by Zhao Leji.
On April 11, in talks with his DPRK counterpart Choe Ryong Hae, Member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the DPRK’s Supreme People’s Assembly, Zhao said that the China-DPRK traditional friendship was established and cultivated meticulously by the elder generations of leaders of both parties and both countries.
General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping has repeatedly said that the CPC and the Chinese government attach great importance to the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, and that it is China’s unwavering strategy to maintain, consolidate and develop bilateral relations.
China is ready to work with the DPRK to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of both parties and both countries and take the “China-DPRK Friendship Year” as an opportunity to intensify high-level exchanges, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, promote people-to-people exchanges and strengthen strategic coordination, so as to further promote and advance China-DPRK relations to continue to move forward.
Choe said the blood-cemented friendship between the two countries has a long history and profound foundation and is the common precious heritage and wealth of the two countries.
The opening ceremony for the China-DPRK Friendship Year was held on April 12. In his speech, Zhao Leji said that it has always been the steadfast strategic policy of the CPC and the Chinese government to safeguard, solidify and develop China-DPRK traditional friendly cooperation.
Looking back, the two sides shared weal and woe and fought together, forging a great militant friendship through blood, he said, adding that the two sides have been trusting each other and standing together through thick and thin to cement and develop the socialist cause in the two countries.
The top leaders of the two parties and two countries have held five historic meetings and maintained close communication through letters and phone calls, advancing China-DPRK relations into a new historical period.
The continuous progress of exchanges and cooperation between the two countries has vigorously promoted the cause of socialism, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples and making major contributions to regional peace and stability.
Under the new circumstances in the new era, China is pleased with the fruitful results achieved in the development of China-DPRK relations. China and the DPRK are good neighbours, good friends and good comrades, he said, adding that both sides are united with sincerity and have been supporting each other in safeguarding the common interests of the two countries as well as international equity and justice.
He added that China and the DPRK are socialist and friendly neighbours, linked by mountains and rivers, and as close as lips and teeth. Calling General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping and WPK General Secretary Kim Jong Un helmsmen steering the boat, drawing the blueprint and charting the course of the development of China-DPRK relations, Zhao said the top leaders set the fundamental guidance and inject inexhaustible impetus into bilateral ties. Looking back upon the past, both sides had their great militant friendship sealed in blood while sharing their destiny.
Choe said that as the top leaders of both parties and both countries have put the DPRK-China relations of the new era on a new strategic height, the friendship bonds between the two countries have remained unshakable and become even firmer.
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un and the respected Comrade Xi Jinping declared this year, marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the “Year of DPRK-China Friendship” out of their unshakable will to further develop the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation with socialism as the core, he said, adding that the DPRK-China friendship is an invincible friendship and precious common wealth forged in blood and developed in the long journey for accomplishing the cause of independence against imperialism, and for peace and socialism.
Noting that permeated into the lands of the two countries is the blood shed by the revolutionary forerunners, sung and unsung, who unhesitatingly dedicated their youth and lives to the freedom and liberation of the fraternal peoples and territorial integrity and that many touching stories tell about their militant friendship and fraternal affection, he added that the DPRK-China relations are, indeed, valuable and precious not only because the two countries are geographically close but also because they have been forged and consolidated in the arduous struggle for the common cause.
He said that the DPRK-China friendship has greeted a new heyday under the wise leadership and special care of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries.
To significantly commemorate the “Year of DPRK-China Friendship” at a time when the DPRK-China relations are being firmly carried forward and their vitality fully demonstrated serves as a powerful motive force for promoting the rapid development of the DPRK-China friendship and further strengthening mutual support and cooperation for the socialist cause, he noted.
The greater progress the two countries make towards a new horizon of building powerful countries under the uplifted banner of socialism, the more vicious the imperialists will be in their obstructive moves, he said, adding that this calls for the two parties and two countries to give full play to the might of militant friendship and unity which have been consolidated century after century. He expressed the steadfast stand and will of the WPK and the DPRK government to steadily and vigorously develop the DPRK-China friendly relations whose true colours have survived all challenges and tempests of history.
Speaking at a welcoming banquet for the Chinese delegation, Choe Ryong Hae said that the Chinese party and government delegation’s visit to the DPRK is of great significance in splendidly marking the opening of the friendship year declared by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries when they exchanged messages of greeting at the beginning of this year, and in opening a new chapter in the history of DPRK-China friendship in the year marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.
Noting that the invincibility and immutability of the DPRK-China friendship with a long history and traditions, forged in blood and consolidated in the protracted joint struggle for anti-imperialist independence and socialism, is unprecedented in the world, he expressed the belief that the two sides of the DPRK and China would substantially boost exchange and cooperation in all fields, including politics, economy and culture, this significant year so as to add new vitality to developing the DPRK-China friendly relations to a higher stage.
In response, Zhao Leji said that upon authorisation by General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Central Committee of the CPC, he was leading the Chinese party and government delegation to pay an official goodwill visit to the DPRK and attend an opening ceremony of the “Year of China-DPRK Friendship”, adding that the China-DPRK friendship, personally provided and developed by the leaders of the elder generations of the two parties and two countries in the struggle for socialist revolution and construction for 75 years after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, has been strengthened generation after generation.
Also participating in the inauguration of the Friendship Year was a more than 300-person art troupe from China, including the China National Traditional Orchestra.
Kim Jong Un attended their concert on April 13. KCNA reported that, “put on the stage were colourful numbers depicting the struggle and patriotic spirit of the Chinese people who are pushing forward with the building of a modern socialist country with Chinese characteristics and the cause of national prosperity, including national orchestral music ‘National Traits’, vocal and instrumental music ‘We Will Never Lose Our Original Intention’ and national orchestral music and chorus ‘My Motherland’. The chorus ‘DPRK-China Friendship Is Everlasting’ beautifully decorated the end of the performance.”
It further reported that on the conclusion of the performance, the Korean leader mounted the stage, met leading artistes, warmly congratulated all the performers, who sang high praises of the ever-blooming DPRK-China friendship through their unique performance, and had a photo taken with them.
Meanwhile, on April 12, the 33rd April Spring Friendship Art Festival opened in Pyongyang, marking the April 15th 112th birthday of the founding leader of the DPRK, President Kim Il Sung. Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli joined DPRK Minister of Culture Sung Jong Gyu, along with the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, in addressing the opening ceremony.
Participating in the festival were famous art troupes, dance groups and circus of dozens of countries, including Russia, China, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Italy and Venezuela, and overseas Korean art troupes. A number participated online, including Attila the Stockbroker, the British progressive punk rock and early music artist.
President Kim Il Sung’s birthday was also marked by a reception hosted by the DPRK embassy in Beijing on April 12. Speaking there, Ambassador Ri Ryong Nam said that President Kim Il Sung fought in the same trench with Chinese comrades in the flames of the hard-fought anti-Japanese and anti-US wars against the common enemies of the two countries, while providing the tradition of the DPRK-China friendship at the cost of blood, and developed DPRK-China relations into the invincible ones of comrades-in-arms, comrades and brothers by forming deep revolutionary friendship with the leaders of the elder generation of China.
Noting that the DPRK-China friendship is growing stronger day by day under the direct attention and guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, he said it is the invariable stand of the party and government of the DPRK to develop the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation in line with the requirements of the new era and the expectations of the peoples of the two countries.
Earlier, on April 9, a celebration meeting was held in Beijing under the co-sponsorship of the DPRK embassy in China and the China World Peace Foundation. Among those attending were the families of people related to the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle, waged jointly by the people of the two nations.
They said that the China-DPRK friendship formed in blood is deeply cherished in the minds of the younger generations as a precious treasure common to the peoples of the two countries and that they would do their best for the development of the China-DPRK friendship, true to the intentions of the revolutionaries of elder generations.
The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and the Morning Star.
China’s top legislator to pay official goodwill visit to DPRK, attend opening ceremony of “China-DPRK Friendship Year”
BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) — At the invitation of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji will lead a party and government delegation to the DPRK to pay an official goodwill visit and attend the opening ceremony of “China-DPRK Friendship Year” from April 11 to 13, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Tuesday.
China’s top legislator meets DPRK top leader
PYONGYANG, April 13 (Xinhua) — Zhao Leji, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee, met with Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) here on Saturday.
Zhao, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, is heading a Chinese party and government delegation on an official goodwill visit to the DPRK.
Zhao extended to Kim the kind regards and good wishes of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping.
Zhao said that appointed by General Secretary Xi and the CPC Central Committee, he is heading the Chinese party and government delegation to pay an official goodwill visit to the DPRK and attend the opening ceremony of the “China-DPRK Friendship Year,” and that he was warmly received by the WPK and the DPRK government.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the DPRK, and the journey of the past 75 years epitomized good neighborliness and friendship as the two countries stood side by side, fighting together and sharing a common destiny and common development, he said.
Under the new situation, China is ready to work with the DPRK, in accordance with the lofty will of the top leaders of both parties and both countries and common aspirations of the two peoples, to push the China-DPRK relationship for greater development, Zhao said.
Zhao pointed out that the China-DPRK friendship, established and cultivated meticulously by the elder generations of revolutionists of both parties and both countries, has withstood various tests of the changing international situation and is an invaluable asset of the two countries.
Zhao said that the CPC and the Chinese government have always treated the China-DPRK relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, and it is China’s unwavering policy to maintain, consolidate and develop the China-DPRK traditional friendly and cooperative relations.
China is willing to work with the DPRK, under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of both parties and both countries, to promote bilateral practical and mutually beneficial cooperation to attain new achievements, continue to strongly support each other and safeguard the shared interests of the two countries, he said.
China stands ready for close coordination with the DPRK to ensure the success of all activities of the “China-DPRK Friendship Year,” he added.
China, in accordance with the strategic plan laid out at the 20th CPC National Congress, is comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, Zhao stressed.
China is willing to intensify coordination in development and deepen bilateral cooperation with the DPRK, and to continuously enrich China-DPRK relations, he said.
Kim asked Zhao to convey his sincere greetings and best wishes to General Secretary Xi.
Kim said that appointed by General Secretary Xi and the CPC Central Committee, the Chinese party and government delegation’s visit to the DPRK and attendance at the opening ceremony of the “DPRK-China Friendship Year” fully demonstrate General Secretary Xi’s friendliness over DPRK-China relations and strongly demonstrate the profound and unbreakable foundation of bilateral ties.
Kim extended his warm congratulations over the development achievements that China has made in the pursuit of its socialist cause under the strong leadership of General Secretary Xi and the CPC.
He stressed that the DPRK-China relations have boasted a profound historical tradition, having withstood various tests and been passed on from generation to generation.
Kim said that it is the unwavering policy of the WPK and the DPRK government to consolidate and develop the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries. The DPRK-China relationship is continuously developing to new and higher stages in line with the demands of the new era, he added.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the “DPRK-China Friendship Year,” and the DPRK stands ready to work with China to strengthen cooperation in various fields, increase exchanges of experience in state governance, deepen traditional friendship, and write a new chapter for bilateral ties, he said.
Upon leaving Pyongyang, the Chinese party and government delegation was seen off at the airport by officials including Choe Ryong Hae, a member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.
On Saturday afternoon, Zhao visited and extended his regards to staff members of the Chinese embassy and representatives of overseas Chinese in the DPRK.
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Chinese Party and Government Delegation
Pyongyang, April 14 (KCNA) — Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), on April 13 received the party and government delegation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) headed by Zhao Leji, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC, on an official goodwill visit to the DPRK to commemorate the Year of DPRK-China Friendship.
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un warmly greeted the members of the Chinese delegation at the headquarters building of the Central Committee of the WPK, warmly welcomed their visit to the DPRK and had a photo taken with them.
He had a friendly and constructive talk with the members of the delegation.
At the meeting Zhao Leji courteously conveyed the warm greetings from Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the CPC and president of the PRC, to Kim Jong Un.
Kim Jong Un expressed thanks for this and asked Zhao Leji to convey his best wishes to the respected Comrade Xi Jinping.
He said that the current visit to Pyongyang by the Chinese party and government delegation, which followed the proclamation of this significant year marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and China as a Year of DPRK-China Friendship, is of very weighty significance in demonstrating the invincibility of the DPRK-China friendship and further developing the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries as required by the times. Highly appreciating that the event for making public the important beginning of the important year was conspicuous, successful and glorious with the participation of a high-ranking delegation and a large-scale art troupe of China, he extended sincere thanks to General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Chinese party and government for their great sincerity to make sure that a good occasion has been marked with splendor once again.
Saying in an excited tone that he personally felt during his stay in Pyongyang the special care by Kim Jong Un, cordial hospitality by the Party and the government of the DPRK and its people’s profound friendly feelings, Zhao Leji expressed his heartfelt deep thanks to Kim Jong Un for attaching utmost importance and paying deep attention to the delegation so that it could achieve the greatest success during the visit.
Kim Jong Un candidly discussed with Zhao Leji the issue of boosting the multi-faceted exchanges and cooperation for developing the friendly and cooperative relations, an asset of the two parties and two countries, into more viable ties, occasioned by the Year of DPRK-China Friendship, and other important issues of mutual concern.
Kim Jong Un affirmed that it is his consistent stand and the invariable and steadfast policy of the WPK and the government of the DPRK to develop the long-standing DPRK-China friendship decade after decade and century after century, expressing his expectation that the common will of the two parties and the two countries to dynamically promote the socialist cause and provide their peoples with substantial well-being by steadily carrying forward and developing these durable traditions of friendship would lead to responsible progress and successful fruition of the Year of DPRK-China Friendship.
Offering sincere congratulations to the Chinese party, government and people for registering remarkable successes in the struggle for implementing the tasks set forth at the 20th Congress of the CPC, he expressed his hope that the fraternal Chinese people would make a more brilliant step forward in carrying out the historic task for building a modern and powerful socialist country this year marking the 75th founding anniversary of the PRC under the guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping.
The talk proceeded in a kindly, sincere and comradely atmosphere.
On the same day Kim Jong Un hosted a luncheon for the party and government delegation of the PRC.
Present there were Jo Yong Won, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau and secretary of the C.C., WPK, Ri Il Hwan, secretary of the C.C., WPK, Choe Son Hui, minister of Foreign Affairs, Kim Song Nam, department director of the C.C., WPK, and Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the C.C., WPK.
At the luncheon, Kim Jong Un proposed a toast to the eternal development of socialism in the two countries, longevity and good health of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the successful DPRK visit of the party and government delegation of the PRC led by Zhao Leji.
Kim Jong Un had pleasant chats with Zhao Leji and other members of the delegation in a harmonious and friendly atmosphere, further deepening friendship.
The luncheon proceeded in a harmonious and warm atmosphere.
After the luncheon was over Kim Jong Un warmly saw off the members of the delegation.
China ready to take “China-DPRK Friendship Year” as an opportunity to promote bilateral relations: top legislator
PYONGYANG, April 11 (Xinhua) — Zhao Leji, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee, held talks with Choe Ryong Hae, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), here on Thursday.
Zhao, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, told Choe, a member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), that the China-DPRK traditional friendship was established and cultivated meticulously by the elder generations of leaders of both parties and both countries.
General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping has repeatedly said that the CPC and the Chinese government attach great importance to the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, and that it is China’s unwavering strategy to maintain, consolidate and develop bilateral relations, Zhao said.
Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the DPRK, Zhao said that General Secretary Xi and WPK General Secretary Kim Jong Un have exchanged New Year congratulatory messages, and jointly designated 2024 as the “China-DPRK Friendship Year” and launched a series of activities.
China is ready to work with the DPRK to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of both parties and both countries, and take the “China-DPRK Friendship Year” as an opportunity to intensify high-level exchanges, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, promote people-to-people exchanges and strengthen strategic coordination, so as to promote China-DPRK relations to continue to move forward, Zhao said.
Exchanges between legislative bodies have been an important part of China-DPRK relations and long played a positive role in deepening bilateral relations, Zhao noted.
China is ready to intensify exchanges and cooperation with the DPRK’s legislative bodies to help lift China-DPRK traditional friendly and cooperative relations to a higher level, he said.
Choe said the blood-cemented friendship between the two countries has a long history and profound foundation, and is the common precious heritage and wealth of the two countries.
Under the strategic guidance of General Secretary Kim and General Secretary Xi, DPRK-China friendly relations have entered a new era, which strongly demonstrates the vitality and unbreakability of bilateral relations, Choe said.
The DPRK is willing to join hands with China to follow the guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, and take the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the “DPRK-China Friendship Year” to carry on and develop the traditional DPRK-China friendship, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and push for continuous development of DPRK-China friendly and cooperative relations, he said.
The two sides exchanged views on the international and regional situations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
After the talks, Zhao and Choe witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in the fields including reciprocal exemption of diplomatic and service visas, mutual translation and publication of classical literatures, customs quarantine, radio and television, and postal delivery. They also jointly attended the welcoming banquet held by the DPRK for the Chinese party and government delegation.
Talks Held between Choe Ryong Hae and Zhao Leji
Pyongyang, April 12 (KCNA) — Talks were held here on Thursday between Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), first vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly, and Zhao Leji, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the C.C., Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Present there were Kim Song Nam, director of the International Department of the Central Committee of the WPK, officials concerned, Liu Jianchao, head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, members of the party and government delegation of the PRC and Wang Yajun, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK.
The talks discussed the issues of positively promoting exchange and cooperation in all fields, including politics, economy and culture, true to the noble intentions of the top leaders of two parties and two countries who declared this significant year marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the DPRK and the PRC as the “year of DPRK-China friendship” and thus further developing the traditional DPRK-China friendly relations.
The talks exchanged views on the regional and international issues of mutual concern.
The talks were followed by a ceremony of signing the documents of agreement between the governments and agencies of the DPRK and the PRC.
China committed to developing traditional friendly cooperation with DPRK: top legislator
PYONGYANG, April 12 (Xinhua) — It has always been the steadfast strategic policy of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government to safeguard, solidify and develop China-DPRK traditional friendly cooperation, Zhao Leji, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee, said here on Friday.
Zhao, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the “China-DPRK Friendship Year.”
China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) officially established diplomatic relations 75 years ago, opening a new era in the history of the two parties and two countries, he said.
Looking back, the two sides shared weal and woe and fought together, forging a great militant friendship through blood, said Zhao, adding that the two sides have been trusting each other and standing together through thick and thin to cement and develop the socialist cause in the two countries.
The top leaders of the two parties and two countries have held five historic meetings and maintained close communication through letters and phone calls, advancing China-DPRK relations into a new historical period, he said.
The continuous progress of exchanges and cooperation between the two countries has vigorously promoted the cause of socialism, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples and making major contributions to regional peace and stability, Zhao said.
Under the new circumstances in the new era, China is pleased with the fruitful results achieved in the development of China-DPRK relations, Zhao said.
China and the DPRK are good neighbors, good friends and good comrades, he said, adding that both sides are united with sincerity and have been supporting each other in safeguarding the common interests of the two countries as well as international equity and justice.
Top legislators of China, DPRK launch “Friendship Year”
PYONGYANG, April 12 (Xinhua) — Zhao Leji, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee, and Choe Ryong Hae, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), jointly attended the opening ceremony of the “China-DPRK Friendship Year” on Friday.
Zhao, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Choe, a member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), attended the event at the East Pyongyang Grand Theater.
China and the DPRK are socialist and friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, and as close as lips and teeth, Zhao said.
Calling General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping and WPK General Secretary Kim Jong Un helmsmen steering the boat, drawing the blueprint and charting the course of the development of China-DPRK relations, Zhao said the top leaders set the fundamental guidance and inject inexhaustible impetus into bilateral ties.
China is ready to work with the DPRK to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries, promote traditional friendship, deepen strategic mutual trust and enhance exchanges and cooperation, so as to jointly write a new chapter of the China-DPRK friendship, Zhao said.
Choe said that as the top leaders of both parties and both countries have put the DPRK-China relations of the new era on a new strategic height, the friendship bonds between the two countries have remained unshakable and become even firmer.
By taking the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the “DPRK-China Friendship Year,” the DPRK is willing to join hands with China to strengthen and develop the DPRK-China friendly cooperation, thus embarking on a new journey of vigorous development of the friendship between the two countries, he said.
After the event, Zhao and Choe watched together a performance by art troupes from the two countries.
On Friday morning, Zhao presented a floral basket to the China-DPRK Friendship Tower in tribute to the tremendous feats of the martyrs of the Chinese People’s Volunteers. He also paid a visit to the Kangdong General Greenhouse Farm.
During their talks on Thursday, Zhao told Choe that the China-DPRK traditional friendship was forged and cultivated by the elder generations of leaders of both parties and both countries.
General Secretary Xi has repeatedly said that the CPC and the Chinese government attach great importance to the traditional friendly cooperation between the two countries, and that it is China’s unwavering strategy to safeguard, solidify and develop bilateral relations, Zhao said.
Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the DPRK, he said General Secretary Xi and WPK General Secretary Kim have exchanged New Year congratulatory messages, and jointly designated 2024 as the “China-DPRK Friendship Year” and launched a series of activities.
China is ready to work with the DPRK to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of both parties and both countries, and take the “China-DPRK Friendship Year” as an opportunity to intensify high-level exchanges, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, promote people-to-people exchanges and strengthen strategic coordination, so as to move forward China-DPRK relations, Zhao said.
Exchanges between legislative bodies have been an important part of China-DPRK relations and long played a positive role in deepening bilateral ties, Zhao said.
China is ready to intensify legislative exchanges and cooperation with the DPRK to lift China-DPRK traditional friendly cooperation to a higher level, he said.
Choe said the blood-cemented friendship between the two countries has a long history and profound foundation, and is the common precious heritage and wealth of the two countries.
Under the strategic guidance of General Secretary Kim and General Secretary Xi, DPRK-China friendly relations have entered a new era, which strongly demonstrates the vitality and unbreakability of bilateral ties, he said.
The DPRK is willing to work with China to follow the guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, and take the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the “Friendship Year” to develop the DPRK-China traditional friendship, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and push for further development of DPRK-China friendly cooperation, he said.
After the talks, they witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in the fields including reciprocal exemption of diplomatic and service visas, translation and publication of classical literatures, customs quarantine, radio and television, and postal delivery.
Opening Ceremony of “Year of DPRK-China Friendship” Held
Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) — An opening ceremony of the “year of DPRK-China friendship” took place at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre on Friday.
Present at the opening ceremony were Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), first vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly, officials of the Central Committee of the WPK, ministries, and national agencies, officials concerned, working people, youth and students in Pyongyang.
Present there were members of the party and government delegation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) headed by Zhao Leji, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC, members of the Chinese art troupe, Wang Yajun, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and his embassy members and Chinese guests staying here.
When the opening was declared, the national anthems of the DPRK and the PRC were solemnly played.
Choe Ryong Hae, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK, made a speech.
He warmly welcomed the Chinese party and government delegation led by Zhao Leji on an official goodwill visit to the DPRK to take part in the opening ceremony of the “year of DPRK-China friendship” in 2024 and the Chinese art troupe, which will add another brilliant page to the history of the DPRK-China friendly relations, on behalf of the Central Committee of the WPK, the government and people of the DPRK.
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un and the respected Comrade Xi Jinping declared this year marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations the “year of DPRK-China friendship” out of their unshakable will to further develop the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation with socialism as the core, he said, adding that the DPRK-China friendship is an invincible friendship and precious common wealth forged in blood and developed in the long journey for accomplishing the cause of independence against imperialism, peace and socialism.
Noting that permeated into the lands of the two countries were the blood shed by the revolutionary forerunners, sung and unsung, who unhesitatingly dedicated their youth and lives to the freedom and liberation of the fraternal peoples and territorial integrity and many touching stories tell about their militant friendship and fraternal affection, he added that the DPRK-China relations are, indeed, valuable and precious not only because the two countries are geographically close but also because they have been forged and consolidated in the arduous struggle for the common cause.
He said that the DPRK-China friendship has greeted a new heyday under the wise leadership and special care of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries.
To significantly commemorate the “year of the DPRK-China friendship” at a time when the DPRK-China relations are being firmly carried forward and their vitality fully demonstrated serves as a powerful motive force for promoting the rapid development of the DPRK-China friendship and further strengthening mutual support and cooperation for the socialist cause, he noted.
The greater progress the two countries make towards a new horizon of building powerful countries under the uplifted banner of socialism, the more vicious the imperialists will be in their obstructive moves, he said, adding that this calls for the two parties and two countries to give full play to the might of militant friendship and unity which have been consolidated century after century. He expressed the steadfast stand and will of the WPK and the DPRK government to steadily and vigorously develop the DPRK-China friendly relations whose true colors survived all challenges and tempests of history.
Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC, made a speech.
Saying that he was pleased to hold an opening ceremony of the “year of China-DPRK friendship” together with the Korean comrades in the year marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the DPRK, he extended warm greetings and best wishes to the party, government and people of the DPRK on behalf of the Chinese party, government and people.
China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors of socialism linked by the same mountain and rivers, he said, adding that, looking back upon the past, both sides had their great militant friendship sealed in blood while sharing their destiny and have defended the common interests and justice of the international community by getting firmly united with all sincerity.
He said that the traditional China-DPRK friendship, personally provided and strengthened by the leaders of the elder generation of the two parties and two countries, has taken deeper root and become more durable and precious no matter the ever-changing international situation.
General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong Un have indicated the orientation, paved the path and unfolded a blueprint for the China-DPRK relations, while carrying forward the past and foreseeing the future, in order to provide the fundamental guidelines and inexhaustible driving force for the development of the relations, he noted.
Noting that the Chinese side is sincerely pleased with the rich successes made in the development of the China-DPRK relations in the new period and under the new situation, he stressed that it is the consistent strategic policy of the Chinese party and government to successfully defend, consolidate and develop the traditional China-DPRK friendly relations.
Zhao Leji expressed the steadfast will of the Chinese party and government to thoroughly implement the important common understanding shared by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, deepen the strategic mutual trust and promote exchange and cooperation on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the “year of China-DPRK friendship” and thus open up a new chapter of China-DPRK friendship along with the times.
Then an opening-ceremony joint performance was given by prestigious art troupes of the two countries.
Put on the stage were colorful numbers prepared with sincerity by artistes of the two countries to significantly decorate the opening of the “year of the DPRK-China friendship”.
The performers impressively represented with rich and tested artistry and ensemble the noble patriotic spirit, revolutionary mettle, noble traits and customs the peoples of the two countries fully displayed in the struggle of the past decades while cherishing the validity and truth of the socialist cause as their faith.
The numbers performed by artistes of the two countries together revved up the atmosphere of performance.
Through the Chinese song “The Fluttering Red Flag” and the Korean songs “Our National Flag” and “DPRK-China Friendship Will Be Immortal” which demonstrated the invincibility and immutability of the DPRK-China friendship and unity and decorated the climax of performance, the performers sang of the truth that the DPRK-China friendship, symbolic of the will, history and future of the parties, governments and peoples of the two countries, will remain steadfast decade after decade.
The performance, overflowing with deep emotion and pleasure and deepening friendship, was acclaimed by the audience.
Floral baskets were conveyed to the performers in congratulation of their successful performance.
Choe Ryong Hae and Zhao Leji mounted the stage to congratulate the artistes on their successful performance and have a photo taken with them.
Chinese Party and Government Delegation Arrives in Pyongyang
Pyongyang, April 12 (KCNA) — A party and government delegation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) headed by Zhao Leji, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC, arrived here on April 11 to pay an official goodwill visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the invitation of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and the government of the DPRK.
Among the members of the delegation are Liu Jianchao, head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, Liu Qi, secretary general of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC, Sun Yeli, minister of Culture and Tourism, Ma Zhaoxu, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Li Fei, vice-minister of Commerce, Zhang Baoqun, deputy director of the International Military Cooperation Office of the Central Military Commission, and Yang Weiqun, deputy head of the State Office for International Development and Cooperation.
Pyongyang International Airport was in a welcoming atmosphere to greet the friendly mission from China.
The guards of honor of the Korean People’s Army lined up at the stopping place before the terminal of the airport where the flags of the two countries were fluttering.
Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK, first vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly, warmly greeted the party and government delegation of the PRC.
The delegation was also greeted by Ko Kil Son, secretary general of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK, Sung Jong Gyu, minister of Culture, Mun Song Hyok, vice department director of the Central Committee of the WPK, Pak Myong Ho, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ryu Un Hae, vice-minister of External Economic Relations.
Wang Yajun, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and his embassy members greeted the delegation.
A woman worker presented a bouquet to Zhao Leji.
Many citizens warmly welcomed the close Chinese friends, waving the flags of the two countries and bouquets.
At the Paekhwawon State Guest House a vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK and employees warmly greeted the delegation.
The visit to the DPRK by the party and government delegation of the PRC serves as a momentous occasion in significantly commemorating this year marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as the year of DPRK-China friendship, true to the noble intentions of the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries, and in further consolidating the friendly and cooperative relations with socialism as the core, as required by the new era, and in strengthening the strategic and tactical cooperation to defend the common core interests.
WPK Central Committee and DPRK Government Host Banquet in Honor of Party and Government Delegation of PRC
Pyongyang, April 12 (KCNA) — The Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and the government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) hosted a banquet at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Thursday evening in welcome of the party and government delegation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on an official goodwill visit to the DPRK.
Present there on invitation were members of the party and government delegation of the PRC led by Zhao Leji, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC, Wang Yajun, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of his embassy.
Present there were Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK, first vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly, Ko Kil Son, secretary general of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly, Sung Jong Gyu, minister of Culture, Mun Song Hyok, vice department director of the Central Committee of the WPK, Pak Myong Ho, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Ryu Un Hae, vice-minister of External Economic Relations, and officials concerned.
Choe Ryong Hae made a speech at the banquet.
He said that the Chinese party and government delegation’s visit to the DPRK is of great significance in splendidly marking the opening of the “year of the DPRK-China friendship,” declared by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries when they exchanged messages of greeting at the beginning of this year, and in opening a new chapter in the history of DPRK-China friendship this year marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Noting that the invincibility and immutability of the DPRK-China friendship with a long history and traditions, forged in blood and consolidated in the protracted joint struggle for anti-imperialist independence and socialism, are unprecedented in the world, he expressed the belief that the two sides of the DPRK and China would substantially boost exchange and cooperation in all fields, including politics, economy and culture, this significant year so as to add new vitality to developing the DPRK-China friendly relations at a higher stage.
Then Zhao Leji made a speech.
Noting that upon authorization by General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Central Committee of the CPC, he would lead the Chinese party and government delegation to pay an official goodwill visit to the DPRK and attend an opening ceremony of the “year of China-DPRK friendship”, he said that the China-DPRK friendship, personally provided and developed by the leaders of the elder generations of the two parties and two countries in the struggle for socialist revolution and construction for 75 years after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, has been strengthened generation after generation.
Wishing the Korean people fresh and bigger successes in various fields of state building, he stressed that the Chinese side, together with the DPRK side, would take the important common understanding by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries as guidelines, carry forward the traditional friendship and boost mutually beneficial cooperation to provide the peoples of the two countries with greater welfare and contribute to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.
The participants in the banquet toasted the good health of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un and the respected Comrade Xi Jinping and the ceaseless development of the relations between the two countries.
The banquet proceeded in an amicable atmosphere overflowing with warm comradeship and friendship.
Chinese Party and Government Delegation Visits Friendship Tower
Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) — A party and government delegation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) headed by Zhao Leji, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC, visited the Friendship Tower on Friday.
The delegation is on an official goodwill visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to mark the “year of DPRK-China friendship.”
Accompanying the delegation were Mun Song Hyok, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), Pak Myong Ho, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yajun, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and his embassy members.
Members of a guard of honor of the Korean People’s Army lined up at the tower.
The national anthems of the PRC and the DPRK were played.
A floral basket in the name of the party and government delegation of the PRC was laid before the Friendship Tower.
Written on the ribbon of the floral basket were letters “The martyrs of the Chinese People’s Volunteers will be immortal.”
The participants paid silent tribute to the memory of the martyrs of the CPV.
Being briefed on the Friendship Tower, the members of the delegation looked round the tower, the symbol of the DPRK-China friendship forged in blood.
Zhao Leji wrote in the visitor’s book “Recollecting history, remembering forerunners, defending peace and carrying forward friendship.”
Chinese Party and Government Delegation Visits Kangdong Greenhouse Complex
Pyongyang, April 14 (KCNA) — The party and government delegation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) led by Zhao Leji, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Communist Party of China and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC, on an official goodwill visit to the DPRK, visited the Kangdong Green House Complex. The complex was built as a world’s leading vegetable farm thanks to the Workers’ Party of Korea.
Accompanying the delegation were Mun Song Hyok, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Pak Myong Ho, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and Wang Yajun, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK.
The members of the delegation looked round various greenhouse blocks, in which production processes are put on a highly intensive, optimum and intelligent basis.
Chinese Party and Government Delegation Leaves Pyongyang
Pyongyang, April 14 (KCNA) — The party and government delegation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) headed by Zhao Leji, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC, left here on April 13 after paying an official goodwill visit to the DPRK at the invitation of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and the government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
At the airport, capital citizens warmly saw off the friendly mission of the Chinese people, waving flags of the two countries and bouquets.
Members of a guard of honor of the Korean People’s Army lined up there.
Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK, first vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly, warmly saw off the delegation.
Among those who came out to see off the delegation were Ko Kil Son, secretary general of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK, Sung Jong Gyu, minister of Culture, Mun Song Hyok, vice department director of the Central Committee of the WPK, Pak Myong Ho, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Ryu Un Hae, vice-minister of External Economic Relations, Wang Yajun, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and his embassy members.
DPRK top leader attends special concert by Chinese traditional orchestra
SEOUL, April 14 (Xinhua) — Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), attended a special concert presented by China National Traditional Orchestra, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Sunday.
The orchestra was on a visit to the country to participate in the opening ceremony of the “DPRK-China Friendship Year.”
Visiting performers presented music featuring Chinese traditional culture and impressed the audience with Korean songs and a chorus “China-DPRK Friendship Will Be Immortal” at the East Pyongyang Grand Theater on Saturday evening, according to the KCNA report.
Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli and Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wang Yajun, as well as officials and representatives from various sectors in Pyongyang and foreign diplomats in the DPRK, watched the performance.
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Enjoys Special Concert Given by Central National Band of China
Pyongyang, April 14 (KCNA) — The Central National Band of China gave a special concert at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre on April 13. It took part in the opening ceremony of the Year of DPRK-China Friendship held in Pyongyang, which added another brilliant page to the history of the DPRK-China friendly relations.
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), enjoyed the concert on Saturday evening.
Among the audience were secretaries of the Central Committee of the WPK Jo Yong Won and Ri Il Hwan, Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, International Department Director of the WPK Central Committee Kim Song Nam, Vice Department Director of the WPK Central Committee Kim Yo Jong, other officials of the WPK Central Committee and the Foreign Ministry and Pyongyang citizens.
The performance was also enjoyed by Sun Yeli, minister of Culture and Tourism of the PRC, Wang Yajun, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, Ming Wenjun, director of the Art Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, members of the diplomatic corps in the DPRK, including those of the Chinese embassy, and Chinese residents in the DPRK.
The band is a national-level art troupe with a long history, renowned for having a large-scale national orchestra and China’s one and only specialized national chorus.
Put on the stage were colorful numbers depicting the struggle and patriotic spirit of the Chinese people who are pushing forward with the building of a modern socialist country with Chinese characteristics and the cause of national prosperity, including national orchestral music “National Traits”, vocal and instrumental music “We Will Never Lose Our Original Intention” and national orchestral music and chorus “My Motherland”.
Mesmerizing the audience were original tone colors and playing skills displayed by performers in instrumental music “Butterfly Lovers” showing the traditional culture of the Chinese nation and pipha concerto “Sky-rocketing Happiness”.
The audience loudly applauded the performers who impressively sang such Korean songs as “I Love Pyongyang” and “Song of Big Hauls in the Sea”.
The chorus “DPRK-China Friendship Is Everlasting” beautifully decorated the end of the performance.
A floral basket in the name of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un was handed over to the performers.
He mounted the stage, met leading artistes, warmly congratulated all the performers, who sang high praises of the ever-blooming DPRK-China friendship through their unique performance, and had a photo taken with them.
Chinese Art Troupe Arrives in Pyongyang
Pyongyang, April 10 (KCNA) — A Chinese art troupe led by Director of the Art Department Ming Wenjun and Vice-Director of the Department of the International Cooperation for Exchange Shi Zeyi of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China arrived here on April 6 and 9 to take part in a joint performance for the opening ceremony of “year of DPRK-China friendship”.
The art troupe visiting Pyongyang to deepen the feelings of friendship and solidarity between the peoples of the DPRK and China is made up of more than 300 persons, and comprises prestigious art organizations and famous actors and actresses of China.
It was warmly greeted at Pyongyang International Airport by officials of the DPRK Ministry of Culture and the Art Exchange Association of Korea and the minister and staff members of the Chinese embassy here.
The DPRK Ministry of Culture hosted a reception at Yanggakdo International Hotel on Tuesday evening in welcome of the Chinese artistic missions.
Chinese Art Troupe Tours Pyongyang
Pyongyang, April 12 (KCNA) — A Chinese art troupe led by Director of the Art Department Ming Wenjun and Vice-Director of the Department of the International Cooperation for Exchange Shi Zeyi of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China visited the Juche-oriented Musical Art Museum.
While looking round various places showing the history of the development of Juche-oriented musical art that has powerfully encouraged the victorious advance of the Korean revolution, the guests familiarized themselves with monumental famous songs and the creation and performance practices of famous creators and artistes.
They also visited the Tower of the Juche Idea, the Arch of Triumph, etc. and toured Kim Il Sung Square.
33rd April Spring Friendship Art Festival Opens in DPRK
Pyongyang, April 12 (KCNA) — The 33rd April Spring Friendship Art Festival was opened in Pyongyang, the capital city of Juche Korea in response to the aspiration and desire of the world people to significantly celebrate the 112th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung as an auspicious holiday common to mankind.
Present at the festival were famous art troupes, dance groups and circus of dozens of countries, including Russia, China, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Italy and Venezuela, and overseas Korean art troupes.
Upon receiving the news about the 33rd April Spring Friendship Art Festival, many art troupes, actors and actresses of the world and overseas Korean artistes applied for the participation in the festival and created and sent peculiar art pieces to the festival organizing committee.
The 33rd April Spring Friendship Art Festival was opened on Thursday.
The festival organizing committee reported the opening of the festival through the Korean Central TV and websites including “Korean Art”.
The video reflecting the idea, tradition and vitality of the festival introduced the form, method and the scale of the festival, congratulatory speeches made by personages of governments of different countries and scenes of performance of artistes.
The minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, the minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China and the minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in their congratulatory speeches extended warm greetings to the DPRK people on the auspicious spring holiday, wishing the April Spring Friendship Art Festival good success.
Sung Jong Gyu, minister of Culture of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea who doubles as chairman of the festival organizing committee, expressed thanks to the participants in the 33rd April Spring Friendship Art Festival and personages of political and cultural circles and artistes of various countries for making great efforts for the successful festival and expressed belief that the festival would contribute to the development of cultural relations among countries.
Artistes and famous singers of the popular vocal ensembles including Russia’s Pyatero Ensemble and “Kvatro” Ensemble and Italy’s Apasionante Trio presented colorful numbers after expressing their pleasure of attending the April Spring Friendship Art Festival, a grand festival in praise of the great man.
The videos on the festival will be broadcasted on the Korean Central TV and put on websites including “Korean Art”.
Performance of Chinese Artistes
Pyongyang, April 20 (KCNA) — The flower garden of art in full bloom along with the spring holiday of mankind is full of the most beautiful lyrics and melodies praising the peerlessly great men.
The artistes of the Chinese art troupe took part in the April Spring Friendship Art Festival with their deep reverence for President Kim Il Sung, Chairman Kim Jong Il and the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un who made immortal contributions to the accomplishment of the socialist cause and the development of the friendly relations between the two countries. They celebrated the auspicious April holiday in the Year of DPRK-China Friendship with peculiar numbers.
The performers impressively represented the traditional culture and fine manners and customs of the Chinese nation in instrumental music, songs and acrobatic dramas.
They well depicted “The Dear Home in My Native Village” and other Korean songs with rich sound of orchestra and traditional instrument to give deep impression to the audience.
“Fighting Shanghai”, a large acrobatic drama depicting the preceding generations who bravely struggled for freedom and liberation of the Chinese people, added brilliance to the festival stage.
The performers vividly showed the patriotic spirit and emotional sentiments of the Chinese people.
Attila the Stockbroker Diary: April 19, 2024
April 17 (Morning Star) — NK DONS!
I’m 66. I’ve been Attila for 44 years. And the wonderful thing is that the kind of utterly bonkers stories documented extensively in my 2015 autobiography Arguments Yard are still happening to me after all this time. The latest one can finally be revealed.
Last year I came home from the pub to the kind of email one doesn’t get every day.
“Fancy Spring in Pyongyang?”
It was from Glyn Ford, formerly an MEP and deputy leader of the socialist group of the European Parliament, now head of Track2Asia, a Brussels-based NGO aiming to reduce tension and increase understanding on the Korean peninsular, in which capacity he has high level contacts with both North and South.
He had been asked by DPRK cultural officials to recommend a “troupe” to participate in the 33rd Spring Friendship Art Festival, which started in Pyongyang on April 11 and continues until the 25th. He’s been in my contact list for decades, and suggested me and my early music punk band Barnstormer 1649.
We were approached. I sent Pyongyang the live show we’d shot for our local Brighton cable channel Latest TV, and to my utter astonishment, with caveats that we should “dress smartly” and remove the really punky bits, we were accepted.
(I suppose it’s not that surprising, because Korean culture is big on flutes and exotic sounding instruments, and a crumhorn will sound quite sensible to them!)
And so, in an instant, we became the first English rock band (albeit one with five different recorders, crumhorn, cornamuse, fiddle and mandola) to be invited to North Korea. And the second one from anywhere in the world, after my former Cherry Red Records label mates, comrades and cultural inspirations Laibach, who are a martial/industrial Kunst collective, not a rock band, so maybe we’re still the first one!
(And all this after I was initially invited to the DPRK 35 years ago, for the 1989 World Festival of Youth and Students, while performing at the GDR Political Song Festival in East Berlin. I couldn’t go because I had a tour of Canada booked, but I persuaded them to take my mate Steve from the Newtown Neurotics as a solo singer and he had a fascinating time …)
I’ve been many things in my life, but the role of cultural ambassador for an EU NGO aiming to build bridges with the DPRK was certainly a new one. I briefed my band, and with various levels of excitement and/or trepidation we looked forward to the trip.
But not long afterwards came the news that the border was still closed due to Covid, and the festival was going to be video-based. This was greeted with a mixture of disappointment and relief in our ranks, and with the huge assistance of @Latest TV we put on our favourite shirts and made a seven song video featuring five of my songs (Tyler Smiles, Wellingborough and Wigan, The One That Got Away, The Fisherman’s Tale and I Won’t Run Away) and two of theirs (Arirang, a 600-year-old Korean folk tune beloved of all Koreans and tailormade for early music punk, and We Will Go To Mount Paektu, an NK-pop hit about the mountain which is also sacred to them all).
For the latter, I did the first ever English language version, which I arranged myself, and sang verses of both in Korean, which was a challenge. Especially for my wife, given the amount of practise I did! I added some introductions and explanations of the subject matter (Poll Tax 1381/1990, Diggers of 1649, Charles II’s escape from Shoreham in 1651) and sent it off.
It was accepted, and in some form has either already been or will be shown on DPRK TV sometime in the next two weeks as part of the festival. More than that I do not know, but the opportunity to bring the crumhorn to the people of the DPRK is precious to me. I hope it becomes a symbol of peace between the two Koreas. And if you want to see the video I submitted, complete with greeting and introductions, it’s at Attila & Barnstormer on Vimeo.
Robina, darling, I am sorry for practising singing about Mount Paektu in Korean till it drove you nuts. Karrira, karrira …
Fewer gigs at the moment but still very busy as ever, above all campaigning and fundraising for my local CLP as we bid to take Adur Council for Labour for the first time in history. Last Wednesday I was at the London premiere of “On Resistance Street,” a new film about the legacy of The Clash and Rock Against Racism.
Next Friday I’m doing a fundraiser for Weston Super Mare Labour Party at the lovely Loves Cafe in the town centre, and next Saturday I’ll be at the Shepherds Bush Empire, as I still call it, celebrating the 40th anniversary of my friends and comrades The Men They Couldn’t Hang.
Undefeated!
DPRK Embassy in Beijing Hosts Reception
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) — The DPRK embassy in Beijing hosted a reception on April 12 to celebrate the 112th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung.
Present there on invitation were a vice-chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, officials from the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and other officials concerned.
Present there were DPRK Ambassador to China Ri Ryong Nam and his embassy members.
Speeches were made there.
Ri Ryong Nam said that President Kim Il Sung fought in the same trench with Chinese comrades in the flames of the hard-fought anti-Japanese and anti-U.S. wars against the common enemies of the two countries while providing the tradition of the DPRK-China friendship at the cost of blood and developed the DPRK-China relations into the invincible ones of comrades-in-arms, comrades and brothers by forming deep revolutionary friendship with the leaders of the elder generation of China.
Noting that the DPRK-China friendship is growing stronger day by day under the direct attention and guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, he said it is the invariable stand of the Party and government of the DPRK to develop the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation in line with the requirements of the new era and the expectations of the peoples of the two countries.
The vice-chairperson praised the great Comrade Kim Il Sung as the founder and leader of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the DPRK, adding that he led the Korean people to achieve the national independence and liberation of the country and devoted his whole life to the Korean revolution and the cause of socialist construction.
The traditional China-DPRK friendship is a precious asset common to both sides provided personally and cultivated with sincerity by the leaders of the elder generation of the two parties and two countries, the vice-chairperson said, expressing the will of the Chinese side to steadily develop the China-DPRK relations and promote regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, together with the DPRK side, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the Year of China-DPRK Friendship by resolutely implementing the important shared understanding made by the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries.
Meanwhile, the DPRK consulate general in Shenyang of China and its Dandong branch hosted receptions on April 11 and 12 on the same occasion.
Celebration Meeting Held in China
Pyongyang, April 13 (KCNA) — A celebration meeting took place in Beijing on April 9 to mark the 112th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung, under the co-sponsorship of the DPRK embassy in China and the China World Peace Foundation.
Present there were the DPRK ambassador to China and his embassy members, the chairperson of the China World Peace Foundation, officials in the relevant units including the Beijing Municipal People’s Association for Friendship and the Beijing International Peace and Culture Foundation, and the families of persons related to the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle.
The participants watched a video dealing with the immortal exploits performed by Kim Il Sung, together with the leaders of elder generations of China, for the development of the DPRK-China friendship.
Speeches were made there.
The chairperson of the China World Peace Foundation and other speakers said that the great President Kim Il Sung is a peerlessly great man who defended the dignity of the DPRK and made a great contribution to the global peace, adding that his exploits are recognized by the world people and his ideology is still being carried forward.
They impressively talked about the noble sense of revolutionary obligation of President Kim Il Sung, Chairman Kim Jong Il and the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un.
They said that the China-DPRK friendship formed in blood is deeply cherished in the minds of the younger generations as a precious treasure common to the peoples of the two countries and that they would do their best for the development of the China-DPRK friendship, true to the intentions of the revolutionaries of elder generations.
A congratulatory letter to Kim Jong Un was adopted at the meeting.
I am from Vancouver,Canada and i wanted to say here in Canada and the USA it is very hard to get the Truth about China and the DPRK. I was able to get the Truth through Friends of Socialist China and other Socialist Organizations here in Canada.
China and the DPRK’s 75 years of Friendship is worth celebrating. The US Gov’t is trying to drive a wedge between China and Russia and China and the DPRK. That will never happen. The Multi-Polar world is here to stay. Long Live China and the DPRK.