Chinese, DPRK defense ministers discuss closer army ties

Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie met his Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) counterpart Kim Yong Chun here on Tuesday, exchanging views on bilateral relations and ties between the armed forces of the two countries.

The traditional friendship between China and the DPRK has been continuing to develop since they set up diplomatic relations 60 years ago in spite of changes in the international situation, Liang said.

The relations between the two armies are an important part of the bilateral ties and the Chinese side is ready to forge closer links with the DPRK side on exchanges and cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries to push forward the China-DPRK ties of good neighborliness and friendly cooperation under the new situations, he said.

The DPRK-China friendly cooperative relationship, established by the older generation of leaders of the two countries, has been consolidated and developed in the new era, said Kim.

The DPRK side will work with China to improve relations between the two countries as well as between the armed forces of the two countries, he added.

Other members of the visiting Chinese delegation, Huang Xianzhong, Feng Zhaoju, Xu Hongmeng, Jiang Jianzeng, and Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Xiaoming attended the meeting.

Liang arrived in Pyongyang on Sunday on a five-day official visit.

Source: Xinhua