BEIJING/SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- North Korea and China called for closer bilateral friendship and cooperation at a banquet in Pyongyang, celebrating the 99th anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), the North's state media reported Wednesday.

China's top envoy to Pyongyang, Wang Yajun, hosted the event Tuesday at the Chinese Embassy, according to Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

North Korean defense, foreign affairs and ruling party officials attended, including Defense Minister No Kwang-chol.

The minister's attendance appeared to reflect the two countries' push for more high-level exchanges following the June summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they pledged to expand bilateral ties. Last year, the banquet was attended by North Korea's vice defense minister.

Attendees spoke of combat friendship and unity between the North Korean and Chinese militaries, and vowed to expand and deepen their traditional relations.

North Korea has marked the PLA's founding anniversary, which falls on Aug. 1., in past years through congratulatory messages or joint banquets with the Chinese Embassy.

This year's banquet was only the second since 2019 to be reported by Pyongyang's state media, following last year's resumption of the tradition.

jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr

(END)

  • Nam Joo-hyuk to star in new Disney+ crime thriller 'Code'
  • BTS' 'Arirang' returns to top 10 on Billboard 200
  • BTS' 'Butter' tops 1.1 bln views on YouTube
  • New U.S. Ambassador Steel to arrive in S. Korea this week amid pileup of bilateral issues

  • Shareholders file complaints against labor minister, Samsung, SK hynix CEOs

  • (LEAD) S. Korea, U.S. open shipbuilding partnership center to advance MASGA initiative

  • Nam Joo-hyuk to star in new Disney+ crime thriller 'Code'
  • (3rd LD) SK Group chairman ordered to pay 944 bln won in asset division to ex-wife
  • Trump threatens 'substantial' Section 301 tariffs on EU after Google fine

  • Lee says emergence of AI era offers S. Korea new opportunity

  • (LEAD) Tremor of Japan earthquake felt in parts of S. Korea: authorities

  • (2nd LD) Seoul shares crash over 10 pct on heavy tech selloff amid AI skepticism
  • Special bill on nuclear subs to specify S. Korea's commitment not to develop nuclear weapons: sources
  • U.S. removes 84 targets from sanctions list, consolidates duplicate entries including N.K. firm
  • S. Korea to adopt tougher penalties for overcharging in tourism sector