Premiers unveil China-DPRK Friendship Year in Beijing

Source: Xinhua | 03-19-2009 08:07

BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- With folk dances and songs, China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Wednesday unveiled their year-long exchange program, "China-DPRK Friendship Year."

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) and his counterpart of the  Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Il  wave during a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of  the establishment of the China-DPRK diplomatic relations  and the launch of the China-DPRK Friendship Year in Beijing,  capital of China, March 18, 2009. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his DPRK counterpart, Kim Yong Il, attended the premiere of friendship year, together with ministers of foreign affairs, trade and culture of both countries.

"It is of great significance for China and the DPRK to stage the Friendship Year, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations," Wen said in a speech at the start of the gala.