PRC Military Delegation in DPRK to Mark 60th Anniversary of CPV Entry in Korean War
Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Guo Boxiong (L) and President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Nam watch the "Arirang" performance in Pyongyang, capital of the DPRK, Oct. 23, 2010, as part of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the entry of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) into the Korean War front. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)
The CPV cemetery in Hoechang County, South Pyongan, where PRC Central Military Commission Vice Chairman, Gen. Guo Boxiong, presided over a memorial service on Sunday, 24 October, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the CPV's entry into the Korean War (Photo: GoogleEarth)
General Guo Boxiong, a Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, arrived in the DPRK on Saturday to participate in several events commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) entry in the Korean War. General Guo attended a welcome ceremony in Pyongyang. Conducted by VMAR Ri Yong Ho, Chief of the KPA General Staff Department, Guo met members of the KPA leadership including: Senior Deputy Director of the MPAF GPD, Gen. Kim Jong Gak; Vice Minister of the PAF, Gen. Pak Jae Gyong; Commander of the Korean People’s Navy, Gen. Jong Myong Do; Commander of the Korean People’s Air Force, Gen. Ri Pyong Chol; and Vice Chief of GSD, Gen. Choe Pu Il.
Gen. Guo (L) in Pyongyang with KPA Chief of the General Staff and Vice Chairman of the CMC, VMAR Ri Yong Ho (R) (Photo: KCNA)
A group of MPAF officials, including Kim Jong Gak (L), Pak Jae Gyong (2nd L) and Jong Myong Do (3rd L) attend a welcome ceremony for Gen. Guo and his delegation (Photo: KCNA)
On Saturday (23 October), the National Defense Commission hosted a banquet. Speaking for the DPRK, VMAR Ri said that General Guo’s visit to the country “was an important occasion” in the countries’ relationship. Guo also attended an Arirang mass games performance, escorted by SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam and other members of the DPRK leadership. Xinhua reports:
The delegation, led by Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, is on a four-day visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). They were joined at the show by Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.
Before the show, Guo met Kim and a number of other DPRK leaders, including Choe Yong Rim, premier of the cabinet, and Kim Yong Chun, vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission.
Guo hailed the DPRK’s attention to its relations with China. He said the visit of the delegation was to implement the important consensus reached between Chinese President Hu Jintao and the DPRK’s top leader Kim Jong Il.
China would work with the DPRK side to make an active contribution to the continuous promotion of the Sino-DPRK friendship, Guo said.
Kim Yong Nam warmly welcomed the visit of the Chinese delegation.
The DPRK cherished its friendship with China. To consolidate and develop the relations was the firm will of the DPRK, Kim said.
The “Arirang”, a mass gymnastic and artistic show with some 100,000 performers, showcased the achievements made by the DPRK people in socialist construction, and their love of the fatherland, aspiration for reunification and peace.
The CPV entered the DPRK on Oct. 25, 1950, about four months after the Korean War broke out.
In an article marking the anniversary, the DPRK’s official KCNA news agency said Thursday that the CPV not only displayed a spirit of self-sacrifice and heroism but also promoted friendship.
Members of the delegation of senior Chinese military officers Li Jijun (R) and Li Yongtai watch the "Arirang" performance in Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Oct. 23, 2010, as part of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the entry of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) into the Korean War front. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)
Photo taken on Oct. 23, 2010 shows a scene of the "Arirang" performance in Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Oct. 23, 2010, as part of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the entry of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) into the Korean War front. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)
On Sunday (24 October) Guo attended a memorial service and wreath laying ceremony at the CPV cemetery in Hoechang County, South Pyongan. Xinhua:
Wreaths in the name of leaders of the Communist Party of China and Chinese government as well as the visiting delegation were laid in front of the cemetery for the CPV martyrs.
A wreath signed jointly by the Worker’s Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee, the Presidium of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Supreme People’s Assembly and the DPRK cabinet was also laid to mourn the fallen CPV martyrs.
Addressing the memorial ceremony, Guo said that 60 years ago the CPV crossed the Yalu River to support the DPRK people to fight the imperialist invasion and safeguard justice and peace and won a great historic victory.
During the tough war, the Chinese volunteers sacrificed themselves and demonstrated the great internationalism and they forged, with their blood, the unbreakable China-DPRK friendship, Guo said.
Many of the volunteers died in the DPRK, and they represent the best of China’s fine sons and daughters, and their names will go down in history, Guo said.
Thanks to the close care by DPRK’s late top leader Kim Il Sung and the direct guidance of General Secretary Kim Jong Il, the bodies of the CPV martyrs were buried properly and the cemetery has been under careful maintenance, he added.
