中朝两国总理出席"中朝友好年"开幕式

"中朝友好年"开幕式１８日在北京国家大剧院举行。国务院总理温家宝和来访的朝鲜内阁总理金英日共同出席开幕式并致辞。

温家宝在致辞中表示，中朝是山水相连的友好邻邦，朝鲜是最早同中国建交的国家之一，两国人民有着深厚的传统友谊。建交６０年来，两国各领域交流与合作不断深化，有力地促进了各自经济和社会发展，为维护朝鲜半岛及东北亚地区的和平与稳定作出了积极贡献。

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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his DPRK counterpart, Kim Yong Il, attended the premiere of friendship year, together with ministers of foreign affairs, trade and culture of both countries.

"It is of great significance for China and the DPRK to stage the Friendship Year, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations," Wen said in a speech at the start of the gala.

Wen said the DPRK was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with China. The two countries forged diplomatic relations on Oct. 6, 1949, days after the People's Republic of China was founded. "The exchange program spells out the shared aspiration of both countries to cherish their traditional friendship and commit to good-neighbor cooperation," Wen said.

"With joint efforts, I am convinced that the China-DPRK Friendship Year will reach its expected goals and yield fruitful results," Wen said.

The year-long exchange program will cover a series of cultural events like art performances, photo exhibitions and art shows.Kim, who was on his first visit to China since taking office in April 2007, said DPRK-China friendship was the common treasure of both nations.

"Our party and government have paid much attention to the bilateral friendship and committed themselves to promoting the development of our traditional friendship," Kim said.

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

During his five-day visit to China, Kim will also meet with other Chinese state leaders