Xinhua News said that the Moranbong Band and the State Merited Chorus, famous art troupes of DPRK, left for China to perform there, adding:

They were seen off by Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, and Li Jinjun, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and other officials.

Kim Ki Nam in his conversation with Li Jinjun noted that the DPRK and China are the friendly neighbors, stressing that boosting exchange and cooperation in the cultural field is beneficial for deepening mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries and consolidating the foundation of their friendship.

He hoped that the China visit by the chorus and band and their performances there would provide an important occasion in promoting the development of the DPRK-China relations and boosting exchange and cooperation between the two countries in the field concerned.

Li Jinjun said that the DPRK side's dispatch of prestigious art organizations to China to perform there is of weighty significance in linking the feelings of the peoples of the two countries and deepening mutual understanding.

Noting that the Chinese side is attaching great importance to their China visit and performances, Li expressed hope that they would make a positive contribution to boosting exchange and cooperation between China and the DPRK in culture and various other fields and promoting stable and sound development of bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation.

At a press conference held in Beijing a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry referred to the friendly visit to China by the chorus and band of the DPRK.

The spokesperson said:

The DPRK is a close neighbor of China. China is ready to steadily develop the friendly and cooperative relations with the DPRK. We are sure that these relations are favorable for peace and stability of the two countries and the region.

TASS reported:

The DPRK's popular Moranbong Band left Pyongyang to perform in China.

Korean artistes' performances would help deepen the friendship and boost the cultural and art exchanges between the peoples of the two countries.

The State Merited Chorus, the very experienced creating group in the DPRK, also left for China together with the Moranbong Band.

The Kyodo News said:

The DPRK's musicians including the members of the Moranbong Band, the most popular female band in north Korea, left for China by train.

Li Jinjun said at a railway station in Pyongyang that China is very pleased with the news of their visit and Liu Yunshan noted it attaches great importance to their visit.

The Moranbong Band is popular among the people for its familiar music and gorgeousness.

The State Merited Chorus is a male chorus that has represented the DPRK since the era of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Tokyo Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun and NHK of Japan reported in detail about the DPRK's above-said art troupes' friendship visit to China.