国内英语新闻:DPRK's top legislator meets Chinese president's envoy on relations

PYONGYANG, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), met with Dai Bingguo, Chinese state councilor and special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao, here Thursday to discuss relations between their two countries.

    Kim asked Dai to convey his greetings to his Chinese counterpart, Wu Bangguo, and offered congratulations on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

    Kim expressed his wish that the Chinese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, will continue the country's modernization drive.

    Kim reiterated that it is the unshakable stand of the Worker's Party of Korea and the DPRK government to consolidate and further promote the traditional DPRK-China friendship.

    He said the DPRK side would work with the Chinese side to push forward DPRK-China relations.

    Dai conveyed Wu Bangguo's greetings, saying the Chinese government and the Chinese people treasured the friendship with the DPRK, and would strengthen the exchange and cooperation with the DPRK side to write together a new chapter of the friendship.

    This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and has been named the Year of China-DPRK Friendship.

    After the meeting, Dai and Kim watched the debut of the opera, "The Dream of the Red Chamber" at the Pyongyang Grand Theater. The opera, based on a Chinese classic, was staged first in the 1960s under the initiative and instruction of late DPRK president Kim IlSung.

    The opera has been renovated and re-staged as a major event in the Year of China-DPRK Friendship. DPRK top leader Kim Jong Il has taken a strong interest in its development and has watched a rehearsal.