A reception was held in Beijing on Tuesday to mark the 44th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance by China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Addressing reception attendees, Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), said China and the DPRK, being neighbors, are "like lips and teeth". The Sino-DPRK friendship nurtured by the previous generation of leaders is now rooted in the hearts of people in both countries.

He said the treaty has withstood the test of time since it was signed 44 years ago, and has contributed to regional peace and development.

Maintaining the friendship is an unswerving principle of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government, as well as a sincere wish of the Chinese people, Chen added.

The DPRK's ambassador to China, Choe Jin Su, said that the two countries have supported each other and conducted cooperation in various fields since they signed the treaty 44 years ago.

He said he believes the Sino-DPRK friendship will continue to grow from strength to strength in the new century.

Signed in Beijing on July 11, 1961, the treaty cements the two countries' friendly, cooperative and mutual-aid relations, the joint responsibility for the security of the two peoples, peace in Asia and the world.

(Xinhua News Agency July 13, 2005)