Celebration of 73rd anniversary of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea held in Beijing

Hong Lei

O n Sept 17， the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the China-DPRK Friendship Association held a reception in Beijing to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. CPAFFC President Lin Songtian and DPRK Ambassador to China Ri Ryong Nam addressed the reception.

The approximately 60 attendees included representatives from the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China， the Ministry of Foreign Affairs， Office for International Military Cooperation of Central Military Commission of People’s Republic of China， Ministry of Culture and Tourism， DPRK diplomats in Beijing and journalists.

In his speech on behalf of the CPAFFC and the China-DPRK Friendship Association， Lin offered warm congratulations to Ambassador Ri Ryong Nam and other comrades from the DPRK， and extended brotherly regards and best wishes to the people of the DPRK. He said that in the past 73 years， the people of the DPRK have overcome numerous difficulties and made remarkable achievements in their socialist revolution and construction. They are united to fully implement the decisions and plans made by the Eighth National Congress of the Korean Workers Party and make every effort to achieve social and economic development. Lin expressed his belief that under the strong leadership of the Korean Workers Party Central Committee， led by General Secretary Kim Jong-un， the party and the people will surely make greater achievements.

Lin said China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors. During their revolutionary struggles and socialist constructions， the two countries forged a profound friendship that was further cultivated by generations of leaders in both countries， tested by time and has endured dramatic international changes. It has renewed itself and become an invaluable treasure inherited and owned by the two peoples， he said.

Since 2018， General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Kim Jong-un have met five times. They have reached great consensuses on major issues in bilateral relations， and ChinaDPRK relations have entered a new era.

Lin noted that this year marks the centennial of the CPC. Over the past 100 years， the Party in China has united and led the Chinese people in making world-renowned achievements. The key to success lies in upholding the firm leadership of the Party， socialism with Chinese characteristics and the Party’s fundamental purpose of wholeheartedly serving the people and practicing a people-centered philosophy of development.

In January， the Korean Workers Party held its Eighth National Congress， during which it reiterated the importance of people as cornerstone of the country and dedicated itself to the development and prosperity of the country.

China and the DPRK are socialist countries under the leadership of communist parties. Shared beliefs and common aspirations are the fountains of strength for the continuous development and consolidation of bilateral relations. China will work with the brotherly DPRK to implement important consensuses reached by top leaders of both parties and countries， carry on the traditional friendship， promote pragmatic cooperation， strengthen people-to-people exchanges， accelerate the development of socialist causes， bring more benefits to the two countries and two peoples and contribute to peace， stability， development and prosperity in the region and the world.

Ambassador Ri Ryong Nam thanked the CPAFFC for holding the event to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the DPRK. The founding has fundamentally transformed the fate of the people and the country and started a new era in building a strong and prosperous country.

The DPRK people， under the wise leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong-un， are comprehensively implementing the principles of people being the cornerstone of the country， solidarity and self-sufficiency and working to meet the targets set by the Eighth National Congress of the Korean Workers Party for the first year of the five-year plan for national economic development， he said.

He said the Chinese people， under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee， with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core， have gained victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and have embarked upon a new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects. “The DPRK is glad to see China’s great achievements and wishes the CPC and the Chinese people new success in the historical journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects under the leadership of President Xi Jinping.”

Ri hailed the traditional friendship between the two countries， noting that in recent years， top leaders of both countries had met five times， reached important consensuses on bilateral relations and further consolidated and polished the traditional friendship.

Since the beginning of this year， the top leaders of both countries have sent multiple telegrams and messages to each other， renewing the traditional friendship and highlighting their determination to develop bilateral relations， which is in line with the current trend and the common aspirations of the two peoples.

The DPRK will work with the Chinese comrades to carefully implement the important consensuses reached by both top leaders and promote the sound development of bilateral relations， Ri said.

Before the reception， Lin and Ri had a brief meeting. Both sides carried out candid and friendly conversations on bilateral relations and issues of common concern. Participants included representatives from various departments， who also attended the reception.

The Amber Quartet and Junior Oriental Song and Dance Troupe performed at the reception， and the event was suffused with a friendly and warm atmosphere.