Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), met and held talks with senior Chinese legislator Chen Zhili, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Monday.

Chen, vice-chairwoman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), was invited by the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK.

The DPRK-China friendship, built and fostered by the older generation of leaders of the two countries, has been in good shape under the care and instructions of the current leaders, said Choe.

The successful events organized under the Year of DPRK-China Friendship showed the great vitality of the bilateral relations, he said, adding that he was willing to enhance mutual cooperation between the two legislatures.

Chen said exchanges between the legislatures was an important part of the bilateral relationship and the NPC would continue to strengthen cooperation with DPRK's Supreme People's Assembly, in order to boost mutual friendship. This is China's consistent position, she said.

Chen, leading a NPC delegation, arrived in Pyongyang on Monday, kicking off a five-day friendly visit to the DPRK.

(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2009)