Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday morning on an official good-will visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

   PYONGYANG, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping arrived here Tuesday morning on an official good-will visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

    During his three-day visit to the DPRK, Xi will meet with leaders of the country to exchange views on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern.

    This is the first overseas visit that Xi made since he assumed office earlier this year.

    He was greeted by Yang Hyong Sop, vice president of the Presidium of Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, at the airport.

    In a statement released at the airport, Xi said under the care of top leaders of both countries and by joint efforts of the two sides, relations between China and the DPRK, the friendly neighbors connected by land and rivers, have been moving forward.

    He said it is the firm and unchangeable policy of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government to continuously consolidate and develop China-DPRK friendly and cooperative relations.

    China is willing to join hands with the DPRK to further bilateral exchanges and cooperation in all fields so as to benefit the two peoples and make greater contribution to the lasting peace and common prosperity of the region, he said.

    Xi expressed the belief that the visit will further strengthen the traditional friendship between the two countries and peoples, promote bilateral exchange and cooperation in all fields and advance the China-DPRK friendly, cooperative relations.

    Xi, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, is paying the visit at the invitation of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and the DPRK government.

    In his statement, Xi expressed greetings and good wishes to the WPK, and the DPRK government and people. He said China is glad to see that under the leadership of Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the WPK, the DPRK people have made great achievements in socialist revolution and construction.

    Noting the DPRK is to mark the 60th anniversary of its foundingthis year, Xi expressed his warm congratulations on the occasion.

    He extended the wish that the DPRK people continue to make greater achievements in all causes in the future.

    The DPRK is the first leg of his five Asian nation tour, which will also take him to Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Yemen.

Source: Xinhua