(ECNS) -- China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Monday refuted speculations on the relationship between China and the Democratic People's Repbulic of Korea (DPRK), saying that China stays committed to developing friendly and cooperative relations with both the DPRK and the Republic of Korea (ROK).
There are rumors that the Chinese government is unhappy with the DPRK side, as Chinese President Xi Jinping greeted Choe Ryong Hae, a member of the Politburo Presidium and secretary of the Central Committee of DPRK's ruling Workers' Party, at the entrance of the Forbidden City on September 3, but they didn't sit down to have a meeting. Choe returned to Pyongyang that same night.
"Both Secretary Choe Ryong Hae and President Park Geun-hye are guests invited by the Chinese side, and they have been warmly received," Hong said at the regular press conference, adding that "the Chinese side stays committed to developing friendly and cooperative relations with both the DPRK and the ROK. Your guess is not true."
Experts suggested that the public and media should not over-interpret the implications behind the event.
