On March 22, 2005, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council held talks in the Great Hall of the People with Premier Pak Bong Ju of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) who is paying an official good-will visit to China. Wen made positive remarks on China-DPRK relations. He pointed out that in recent years with the care of the leaders of the two countries, China-DPRK relations continue to develop steadily. The high-level exchanges between the two sides remain frequent, bilateral economic and trade cooperation keeps expanding and exchanges in other fields get increasingly dynamic. Under new situations China expects to continue to work with the DPRK to implement the important common consensuses reached between the leaders of the two countries, reinforce bilateral communications and consultations on major issues, deepen economic and trade cooperation and push forward the constant development of friendly cooperative relations between the two countries in the spirit of "carrying on tradition, looking into the future, maintaining the good-neighborly friendship and strengthening cooperation". Pak Bong Ju noted that the DPRK and China enjoy a sound development momentum of bilateral relations and bilateral cooperation in various fields remains dynamic, which creates a solid foundation for the future friendly cooperation between the two countries. The Chinese government and people have extended sincere spiritual and material assistances to promoting the economic growth and improving the living standards of the people of the DPRK, by which the DPRK people are greatly encouraged and for which they feel deep appreciation. To constantly consolidate and develop the friendly relations between the DPRK and China is a consistent policy of the DPRK and the DPRK hopes to see greater headways of bilateral friendship in the new century. Both sides also exchanged opinions over the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue. Wen pointed out that the issue is critical to the peace and security of Northeast Asia. China insists on making the Korean Peninsula nuclear free and maintaining peace and stability in the Peninsula and is committed to solving the issue through six-party talks. At the current stage the six-party talks are a realistic choice to solve the nuclear issue on the Peninsular peacefully through dialogue and comply with the interest of all parties concerned and hence should continue to be held. He hoped that parties concerned would show flexibility, sincerity and patience. China will take an objective and just position, continue to contribute to building peace and dialogues and make unremitting efforts to realize the lasting peace in Northeast Asia. Pak Bong Ju said that the DPRK appreciates the efforts made by China towards a nuclear-free Korean Peninsular. The stance of the DPRK to realize denuclearization on the Peninsular and solve the nuclear issue peacefully through dialogue remains unchanged and it will continue to make efforts to that end. The DPRK neither opposes the six-party talks nor gives up the talks. It can return to the six-party talks whenever conditions for talks are ripe. Following the meeting both sides signed the agreement on promoting and protecting investment and the agreement on environmental cooperation. Wen Jiabao and Pak Bong Ju attended the signing ceremony. Prior to the meeting, Wen held a welcome ceremony for Pak Bong Ju. Vice president of Jiu San Society Hong Fuzeng, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister of the State Environmental Protection Administration Xie Zhenhua and Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wu Donghe were present at the welcome ceremony.