The maintenance and development of China-DPRK friendship is in the fundamental interests of the peoples of the two countries, and is also significant in safeguarding peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the world at large.

Zhang Wannian, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a banquet Tuesday evening, which was held by the Embassy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Beijing to mark the 50th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers' fight in the DPRK.

He said that China will continue to support the north and the south in improving their relations, so as to achieve a self-determined and peaceful reunification of the peninsula.

Zhang said that five decades ago, the Chinese People's Volunteers responded to the call of the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese government and Chairman Mao Zedong, marching into the DPRK to resist the US aggressors, help the DPRK and defend their homeland, and in Korea the Chinese armed forces fought together with the DPRK armed forces for nearly three years, resulting in a huge triumph.

This is the great victory for the two armed forces, and also a glorious chapter in the cause of world peace and human progress, he said.

The DPRK's ambassador to China, Chu Chang-jun, said at the banquet that the Chinese People's Volunteers and the DPRK People's Army fought side by side five decades ago, and achieved a great victory, making a contribution to world peace.

(People’s Daily 10/25/2000)