The party and government delegation of the People's Republic of China headed by Zhao Leji, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China, arrived in Pyongyang on the 11th to pay an official goodwill visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the invitation of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and the government of the DPRK.

The delegation includes Liu Jianchao, Head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China; Liu Qi, Secretary General of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China; Sun Yeli, Minister of Culture and Tourism; Ma Chaoyu, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs; Li Fei, Vice-Minister of Commerce; Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director of the Office of International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission; Yang Weiqun, Deputy Head of the State Office for International Development and Cooperation; and other suite members.

Guards of honour of the Korean People's Army were lining up at the station before the Terminal of the Pyongyang International Airport with fluttering national flags of the DPRK and China.

Choe Ryong Hae, Member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK and First Vice-President of the State Affairs Commission and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, received the Chinese delegation.

He was accompanied by Ko Kil Son, Secretary General of the Standing Committee of the SPA of the DPRK; Sung Jong Gyu, Minister of Culture; Mun Song Hyok, Deputy Department Director of the Central Committee of the WPK; Pak Myong Ho, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Ryu Un Hae, Vice-Minister of External Economic Relations.

The delegation was also received by Wang Yajun, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the DPRK, and staff members of his embassy.

A woman worker presented Zhao Leji with a bouquet.

Lots of people warmly welcomed the Chinese guests.

The Vice-Foreign Minister and employees of the Paekhwawon Guest House gladly received the delegation at the guest house.

The Chinese delegation's visit to the DPRK serves as a significant occasion in commemorating this year marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as a meaningful year of the DPRK-China friendship true to the lofty intention of the leaders of the two parties and two countries and in strengthening strategic and tactical cooperation to more firmly consolidate the friendly and cooperative relations based on socialism in keeping with the demand of the new era and defend the common core interests.