Kim Jong-un meets Chinese VP on 60th anniversary of end of Korean War

Want China Times, Xinhua and Staff Reporter 2013-07-26

Kim Jong-un met Li Yuanchao on Thursday. (Photo/Xinhua)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met visiting Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao in Pyongyang on Thursday to discuss relations between their two countries.

Li arrived earlier in the day to attend activities marking the 60th anniversary of the armistice that brought an end to fighting in the Korean War.

During his meeting with Kim, Li said the anniversary was a chance to remember the outstanding sons and daughters of China and North Korea who sacrificed their lives to defend their homelands.

"Reviewing history, we deeply feel that today's peace is hard earned and should be cherished doubly," said Li, who is also a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China.

The China-DPRK relationship is entering a new period that builds on the past and prepares for the future, Li said, adding China was willing to work with North Korea to strengthen mutual trust and communication, expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields and advance bilateral ties.

Li noted that, as a neighbor of the Korean peninsula, China persists in the realization of its denuclearization and the maintenance of its peace and stability. Beijing insists problems should be solved by dialogue and negotiation, he said.

Li said China would like to push the resumption of the Six-Party Talks and devote itself to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula together with all related parties, in a bid to achieve peace in the region.

Kim, first chairman of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's National Defense Commission, said the Workers' Party of Korea and the people of the DPRK would forever remember the martyrs of the DPRK and China who sacrificed in the war.

The DPRK highly regards the great achievements of China's socialist cause, and values its traditional friendship with China, he said, adding his country was willing to promote its communication and cooperation with China, and push the development of the two countries' relationship.

Kim said his country was dedicated to developing its economy and improving its people's livelihoods, which requires a stable external environment. The DPRK supports China's efforts to restart the Six-Party Talks, and would like to make efforts with all parties to protect the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula, he said.

Li, who conveyed a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Kim, also met with Chairman Kim Yong-nam and Vice-Chairman Yang Hyong-sop of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK earlier Thursday.

Li Yuanchao lays wreaths in front of the graves of Chinese 

soldiers killed during the Korean War, July 26. (Photo/Xinhua)

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