On January 1, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, and General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the DPRK Kim Jong Il exchanged congratulatory
messages on the launch of the "Year of China-DPRK Friendship".

In his message, Chinese President Hu Jintao said China and the DPRK are friendly neighboring countries linked by mountains and rivers and the peoples of the two countries enjoy deep and traditional friendship. The year 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. In the past 60 years, thanks to the joint efforts by the two countries, the friendship and cooperative relations between China and the DPRK have withstood the tests of ever changing international situations and have been consolidated and developed all the time, Hu said. Hu said that the two countries have been maintaining close exchanges at all levels and dynamic cooperation in all fields, while keeping good coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs. Facts prove that the development of bilateral friendly and cooperative relations not only conforms to the fundamental interests and common will of the two peoples, but also contributes to the peace and stability of the region, Hu said.

Hu said the "year of China-DPRK friendship" serves as a symbol of constant development of the relations between the two countries. During the year of friendship, China is willing to work together with the DPRK to further enhance friendship, promote exchanges and deepen cooperation through a variety of activities, in order to have a better future of China-DPRK friendly and cooperative relations, he said.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Il said the year 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the DPRK-China diplomatic relations. The setting of the year 2009 as "year of China-DPRK friendship" is of great significance. To well hold the activities to mark the occasion will further deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and write a new chapter for the development of bilateral friendly relations. Kim said the two countries are friendly neighbors sharing the common mountains and rivers, and the friendship between the two countries, as the common treasure left by the older generations of the revolutionaries of the two countries, has been deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples. Kim expressed his belief that with the joint efforts of both sides, the traditional DPRK-China friendly relations will be further strengthened and developed in the new year.