Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Pak Thae Song, premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Beijing on Saturday.

Noting that China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors with a shared future and mutual support, Li, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that it has always been the unwavering policy of the CPC and the Chinese government to maintain, consolidate and develop China-DPRK relations.

He said China stands ready to work with the DPRK to act on the important common understandings of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, continue to uphold the spirit of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, intensify high-level exchanges, consolidate political mutual trust and expand practical cooperation.

China is ready to align development strategies with the DPRK, steadily expand economic and trade exchanges, promote connectivity, deepen cooperation in people's livelihood sectors including healthcare and education, and improve the well-being of the two peoples, Li said. He also called for carrying forward the China-DPRK traditional friendship and strengthening people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

As the international landscape is undergoing profound and complex changes, China and the DPRK, both socialist countries, should strengthen strategic coordination and cooperation, and jointly safeguard their legitimate rights and interests as well as international fairness and justice, Li noted.

Pak, who is also a member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and vice president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, said the DPRK firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests, and stands ready to work with China to abide by the important common understandings of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries.

The DPRK is willing to take the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the signing of the treaty as an opportunity to intensify high-level exchanges and strategic communication, expand exchanges and cooperation in sectors including economy and trade, science and technology, and people-to-people and cultural sectors, strengthen international coordination, and jointly promote the development of the cause of socialism, he added.