China vows to deepen economic, cultural ties with N. Korea

(Yonhap) -- A senior Chinese official has pledged to step up cooperation with North Korea in the fields of economy and culture as the two nations marked the 60th anniversary of signing a bilateral pact on the two sectors, Beijing's commerce ministry said Saturday.

At a ceremony on Friday celebrating the anniversary, China's Vice Commerce Minister Gao Yan said Beijing will "continue to deepen bilateral cooperation in economic and cultural fields" and "constantly strengthen the China-North Korea friendship."

The ceremony was attended by North Korea's ambassador to China Ji Jae-ryong, and other North Korean and Chinese officials, the ministry said in a brief statement.

China is North Korea's key ally and biggest trading partner. Although Beijing has become increasingly frustrated with Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, many analysts believe that China will not exert sufficient pressure on the North to abandon its nuclear ambition as excessive pressure on Pyongyang could jeopardize stability in the region.