On the evening of December 26th, Liu Xiaoming,Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK,held a New Year reception at the embassy.

Yang Hyong Sop, Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Choe Chang Sik, Minister of Public Health cum chairman of the central committee of the DPRK-China Friendship Association, Kim Sang Ik Vice Minister of the People's Armed Forces, Yu Yong Chol, Vice Minister of the People's Security, Cho Jong Ho, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, Choi Chang Il, Vice Minister of Culture, Ryang Chang Kyoon, Vice Minister of Construction and Building Material Industry cum Director of the Dae An Friendship Glass Plant, Jeon Young Jin, Vice Chairman of the DPRK Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, Kim Dang Ju, Director of Service Bureau for Diplomatic Mission and other responsible persons of the DPRK's mass groups totaling 70-plus guests attended the reception.

Ambassador Liu and Vice President Yang Hyong Sop delivered their speeches sequently.

Ambassador Liu reviewed the development of the relations during the past year. He pointed out that with the joint efforts made by China and the DPRK the communication and coordination remained constant at the high level. Positive progress was achieved in the exchange and cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, science and technology, education and sports. To constantly consolidate and develop the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK constituted an unswerving policy of the Chinese party and government. And the Chinese side was willing to work with the DPRK side to deepen the cooperation in various fields and push the relations to a new high in the coming year.

Ambassador Liu underscored that in the present complicated and volatile international and regional situation, it was imperative that China and DPRK enhance their communication and coordination. Thanks to the joint efforts made by China and the DPRK, the second phase of the fifth round of the six-party talks took place in Beijing last week. The participants adopted a "Chairman's Statement" that reaffirmed the common goal and determination of peaceful realization of a nuclear-free peninsula through dialogue. The Chinese side would make joint active effort with the DPRK side to resume the upcoming session of the six-party talks as soon as possible and achieve results so as to make the nuclear-free DPRK Peninsula and the lasting peace and stability in Northeast Asia region a reality.

Referring to the domestic situation in China, the ambassador said that the sixth plenum of the sixteenth congress of the Central Committee of the CPC had made a crucial strategic plan to build a socialist harmonious society. In the coming year the Chinese people would, rallying round the Chinese Communist Party with full confidence, strive for building a well-to-do society in an all-round manner. In this connection, Liu spoke highly of the tireless effort made by the DPRK party and people to explore a way to develop their country.

Vice President Yang Hyong Sop in his speech said that it was the confirmed policy of the DPRK party and government to constantly consolidate and develop the traditional DPRK-Chinese friendship. Comrade Kim Jong Il made an historical visit to China at the beginning of this year and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan visited DPRK as special representative of Comrade Hu Jintao. He believed that the new year would see the bilateral friendship and cooperation strengthen and develop with the joint effort of the two countries.

Yang further expressed that both the two countries had scored favorable results in the socialist construction during the past year. The Chinese people had attained achievements in its effort to maintain the country's political stability, secure sustainable economic development and realize the cause of unification under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. He wished the Chinese people new success in the all-round construction of a well-to-do society and realization of the cause of the unification of the country under the leadership of the CPC headed by the General Secretary Comrade Hu Jintao.