Present there on invitation were Zhang Chunxian, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, Luo Zhaohui, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yajun, deputy head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, officials concerned and diplomatic envoys of different countries in China.

Attending the reception were Ji Jae Ryong, DPRK ambassador to China, and his embassy members.

Ji Jae Ryong said that the DPRK history of over 70 years is the history of proud victories in which it has dynamically advanced for the building of a powerful socialist country, overcoming ordeals and hardships of every description under the guidance of President Kim Il Sung, Chairman Kim Jong Il and Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.

He said that the traditional DPRK-China friendship provided by the leaders of the elder generation of the two countries are being steadily consolidated and developed thanks to the deep trust and friendship between Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping.

He expressed the will to steadily develop the DPRK-China relations of friendship and cooperation in various fields, propel the socialist construction in the two countries and make positive efforts to safeguard peace and security in Northeast Asia and the rest of the world together with the Chinese comrades this year marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and China.

Zhang Chunxian said that Korean-style socialism has won great victories for the past 71 years under the guidance of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un and that in recent years Kim Jong Un has led the party and people of the DPRK to bring about brilliant development in all fields.

He said that China supports the socialist cause of the DPRK and its new strategic line and efforts to settle the issue of the Korean Peninsula and ensure the regional stability.

He affirmed that the Chinese side would intensify the strategic communication, boost the substantial cooperation and thus add luster to the traditional China-DPRK friendship and propel the fresh development of the bilateral ties by materializing together with the DPRK comrades the important common understanding made by the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries.