PYONGYANG, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- A Communist Party of China (CPC) delegation arrived here in the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Saturday morning for a three-day official goodwill visit.

The delegation is headed by Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Political and Legal Affairs.

Zhou was invited by the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).

In a written statement delivered at the airport, Zhou conveyed warm congratulations for the 65th anniversary of the founding of the WPK on behalf of the CPC, the Chinese government and people, and wished the DPRK people well in opening a new era and making new achievements under the leadership of Kim Jong Il, the WPK general secretary, and the new WPK leadership in the course of building a powerful and prosperous country and realizing the peaceful reunification of the fatherland.

According to Zhou, thanks to the careful nurturing of the two parties and the two peoples, the deeply rooted China-DPRK friendship had born many fruits.

"The continuous consolidation and development of the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK for bringing benefits to the two peoples is our glorious and lofty historic mission and our common guideline," he said.

He believed the China-DPRK friendship and cooperation would boast a brighter future with unswerving efforts made by both countries and peoples.

During his stay, Zhou will attend events celebrating the WPK founding and exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern with the DPRK side.

A grand welcoming ceremony was held at the airport.

Kim Yong Il, an alternate member of the Political Bureau, secretary of the Secretariat and director of the International Affairs Department of the WPK Central Committee, and other senior DPRK officials greeted Zhou and the delegation at the airport.

More than 1,000 DPRK people from all walks of life also gathered at the airport to welcome the Chinese guests.

China and the DPRK have a tradition of maintaining high-level contacts. Within this year, Kim Jong Il has paid two unofficial visits to China, in May and August, respectively.