China-DPRK Friendship Year kicks off

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-19-2009 20:20

China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have unveiled their year-long exchange program, "China-DPRK Friendship Year." Premier Wen Jiabao and his DPRK counterpart, Kim Yong Il, attended the premiere of Friendship Year in Beijing on Wednesday.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (2nd R, 2nd Line) and his  counterpart of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea  (DPRK) Kim Yong Il (3rd L, 2nd Line) wave as they pose for  a group photo with performers after the performance for the launch of the China-DPRK Friendship Year in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2009. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

In a speech at the start of the gala，Wen Jiabao said the DPRK was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with China.

The two countries forged diplomatic relations on October sixth, 1949, just days after the People's Republic of China was founded.

The Chinese Premier said the exchange program spells out the shared aspiration of both countries to cherish their traditional friendship and commit to good-neighbor cooperation.

Kim Yong I1 was on his first visit to China since taking office in April 2007. He took the opportunity to say that DPRK-China friendship was a common treasure of both nations.

He also said the DPRK would work with China to make the Friendship Year a success.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (6th R, 2nd Line) and his  counterpart of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea  (DPRK) Kim Yong Il (4th L, 2nd Line) wave as they pose for a group photo with performers after the performance for the launch of the China-DPRK Friendship Year in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Following the leaders' speeches, more than 2,000 people from both countries watched an hour-long gala featuring folk songs and dances from both countries.

The year-long exchange program will cover a series of cultural events like art performances, photo exhibitions and art shows.

Editor:Liu Fang