Chinese envoy hopes for increased cooperation with universities in N. Korea

China's ambassador to North Korea has visited the host country's top university and expressed hope the universities of the two countries will further strengthen cooperation and exchanges, the embassy said Thursday.

Chinese Ambassador Wang Yajun made the remarks during his visit to Kim Il Sung University, named after North Korea's late founder, the previous day, where he toured the school's history hall, digital library, swimming pool and other facilities, according to the embassy's website.

Wang said that cooperation in education represents a key component of China-North Korea relations, with Kim Il Sung University taking the lead in the cooperation and exchanges between universities of the countries.

"For universities of the two countries to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and to promote bilateral relations, I hope that more friendly delegations will be fostered," the embassy quoted Wang as saying.

The ambassador also met separately with dozens of North Korean students majoring in Chinese literature and with Chinese students studying at the university.

Pak Hak-chol, first deputy president at Kim Il Sung University, said the school is conducting exchanges with about 20 Chinese universities, expressing hope continued bilateral cooperation in education will contribute to the development of ties between China and North Korea.

The embassy said the North Korean university operates 22 departments and 63 research centers, with 3,600 faculty members and 20,000 students, since its opening in 1946.