Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (L, front) talks with Choe Yong Rim (R, front), Premier of the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea (DPRK), at a welcoming banquet in Pyongyang, capital of the DPRK, Oct. 23, 2011. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

PYONGYANG, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang held talks Sunday with Choe Yong Rim, premier of the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on bilateral relations.

During a meeting with Choe at the Mansudae Assembly Hall, Li said China and the DPRK have reached broad consensus on further promoting bilateral relations when Choe recently made an official visit to China.

As good neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, the parties, governments and peoples of the two nations have supported each other, consolidated their good neighborly friendship, and advanced mutually beneficial cooperation since they established diplomatic relations 62 years ago, which has not only promoted their respective socialist construction, but made positive contributions to regional peace and stability, he said.

It is China`s unswerving policy to continuously consolidate and develop the traditional friendly and cooperative relations with the DPRK, the Chinese vice premier said.

In the new situation, China stands ready to work with the DPRK to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both nations, further strengthen friendly exchanges and practical cooperation in various areas and promote the sound and steady development of bilateral ties, he added.

The two sides also need to maintain the rapid growth in trade, and actively and properly carry out major cooperative projects, said Li.

He also briefed Choe on the Sixth Plenary Session of the 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and China`s reform and opening-up as well as its socialist modernization.

Li said that it is in the interests of various parties concerned to improve the DPRK`s ties with South Korea and the United States, enhance dialogues and contacts, and safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

China supports the DPRK in its efforts to take the right direction for engagement and dialogues, resume the six-party talks at an early date, promote denuclearization on the peninsular, further ease tension there, and safeguard regional peace, stability and development, he said.

Choe, also a member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of Central Committee of the Worker`s Party of Korea (WPK), said it is the DPRK`s unwavering policy and in the strategic interests of both sides to strengthen their traditional friendship and deepen their cooperation.

The two sides need to promote political trust, expand practical cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, mining and infrastructure, carry on the traditional friendship from generation to generation, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, he said.

Later in the day, the Chinese vice premier attended a welcome reception hosted by Choe on the behalf of the WPK and the DPRK government.

Also on Sunday, representatives from departments concerned of both sides signed an agreement on economic and technological cooperation and other cooperative documents.

The Chinese vice premier arrived here earlier Sunday for an official goodwill visit to Pyongyang.