国内英语新闻：Chinese vice president makes five-point proposal to develop relations with DPRK

PYONGYANG, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Tuesday made a five-point proposal to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

    Xi, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the proposal while meeting with Yang Hyong Sop, vice president of the Presidium of DPRK's Supreme People's Assembly.

    Firstly, Xi proposed maintaining the trend of mutual exchange of visits by high ranking officials, and strengthening political communication and close relations between the Chinese Communist Party and the Worker's Party of Korea.

    China will continue to exchange views on governance and party construction with the DPRK, maintaining communication on important issues, he said.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping(4th L) talks with Yang Hyong Sop (3rd R), vice president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) during a meeting in Pyongyang, capital of the DPRK, on June 17, 2008.

    Second, he proposed the observance of "China-DPRK Friendship Year" in 2009 -- the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

    The third point of his proposal is that both sides should strive to deepen cooperation in agriculture, light industry, information industry, technology, transportation and infrastructure construction in the border areas.

    It should be a win-win cooperation, resulting in mutual benefits, the Chinese vice president said.

    China will encourage large and creditable enterprises to invest in the DPRK, he said, adding that the two sides could upgrade a number of ports to enhance their loading and unloading capacity.

    Fourth, Xi proposed the promotion of bilateral cultural exchanges.

    China will welcome artists' groups from the DPRK to the 10th Asian Art Festival in September and will continue to send high-level art groups to the International Spring Art Festival held in Pyongyang each April, he said.

    Finally, the Chinese vice president also proposed to strengthen bilateral coordination and cooperation in the six-party talks on the DPRK nuclear issue, and within the framework of the United Nations, to protect the interests of both countries.