A reception was held in Beijing on July 12 to mark the 44th anniversary for the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Addressing the reception, Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), said China and the DPRK are close neighbors just like lips and teeth.The Sino-DPRK traditional friendship nurtured by the elder generation of leaders of the two countries has become rooted in the hearts of people in both countries.

He said the treaty has withstood the test of time since it was signed 44 years ago, and has made an important contribution to maintaining regional peace and development.

Cementing the China-DPRK traditional friendship is an unswerving principle of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government, as well as a sincere wish of the Chinese people, he said.

DPRK Ambassador to China Choe Jin Su said the two countries have supported each other and conducted cooperation in various fields since they signed the treaty 44 ago.

He said he believes the Sino-DPRK friendship will continue to be strengthened in the new century.

Signed in Beijing on July 11, 1961, the treaty aims at cementing the two countries' friendly, cooperative and mutual-aid relations, jointly ensuring the security of the two peoples, and maintaining and consolidating peace in Asia and the world.

Source: Xinhua