On October 5, 2009, the grand celebration on the 60th anniversary of China-DPRK diplomatic ties & closing ceremony of China-DPRK Friendship Year were held in May Day Stadium of Pyongyang. Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council of China Wen Jiabao attended the ceremony together with DPRK General-Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee and Chairman of the National Defense Commission Kim Jong Il and Premier Kim Yong Il.

When Wen Jiabao and Kim Jong Il stepped in the stadium, all the 150,000 audience stood up and applauded.

Addressing the ceremony, Wen, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, extended sincere greetings and sound wishes to the DPRK government and people. He said that the two parties, two countries and two peoples, with mutual understanding, mutual support and mutual help, have advanced the bilateral ties constantly and worked hard to maintain regional peace and stability since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties 60 years ago no matter how the international situation fluctuates. 2009 is the China-DPRK Friendship Year. Both sides have held rich and colorful exchange and celebration activities, which have enhanced friendship of the two peoples, strengthened the bilateral friendly cooperation in various fields and injected vigor into the bilateral ties.

He noted that China-DPRK relations are standing at a new historical starting point. We are willing to make joint efforts with the DPRK to consolidate and push forward the traditional friendship, expand the friendly exchange and cooperation and create a better future for China-DPRK relations so as to bring greater benefit to the two peoples and contribute more to peace and stability in the region.

In his speech, Kim Jong Il, on behalf of the DPRK people, expressed cordial greeting to the Chinese people and high esteem to the older generation of revolutionaries of the two countries who founded and developed the bilateral friendship. He said that the establishment of DPRK-China diplomatic ties 60 years ago opened a broad way for the development of bilateral relations and has historic significance. The two peoples support and cooperate with each other closely and have established profound friendship. It is the resolve of the DPRK party and government to consolidate and promote this friendship. The DPRK-China Friendship Year has effectively boosted the friendship and trust between the two peoples. The DPRK is wiling to join hands with China to push forward the bilateral friendly and cooperative relations.

The DPRK artists performed the large-scale group calisthenics Arirang and participated in the superb performance commemorating the 60th anniversary of China-DPRK diplomatic ties & closing ceremony of China-DPRK Friendship Year.

In the afternoon, Wen Jiabao and Kim Jong Il, together with the DPRK people from all walks of life, watched the joint performance presented by artists of both countries in East Pyongyang Grand Theater.