Present there on invitation were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Kang Ha Guk, minister of Public Health who doubles as chairman of the Central Committee of the DPRK-China Friendship Association, and officials concerned.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Hongcai and staff members of his embassy and Chinese guests staying here were present there.

Liu in his speech said that Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and President of the DPRK Kim Il Sung signed the treaty of landmark significance providing the firm foundation for development of the bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation.

For the past 52 years the two countries have supported and cooperated with each other in the spirit of the treaty to promote the steady development of the Sino-DPRK relations of friendship, Liu said.

He expressed the will to make efforts to promote the long, stable and sound development of the traditional Sino-DPRK relations and keep eternal vitality.

Kang Ha Guk said in his speech the treaty has helped the two countries accelerate their socialist construction and protect the regional peace and stability since its conclusion.

The dear respected Marshal Kim Jong Un is paying deep attention to boosting the traditional DPRK-China friendship, true to the noble intentions of the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, he added.

He evinced his will to make efforts to comprehensively develop the bilateral friendly and cooperative relations on a fresh higher stage as desired by the two peoples.

Meanwhile, a reception was given at the Chinese consulate general in Chongjin on the same day.