Pyongyang: North Korea's vice foreign minister has reaffirmed the country's "consistent" stance on advancing friendship with China while attending a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang to mark the U.N.-designated International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution last year, proposed by China, declaring June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. This initiative aims to highlight the value of diverse civilizations and promote dialogue for peace and cooperation.

During the embassy event marking the first International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong stated that the diversity of civilizations deserves respect and that acts of pursuing geopolitical interests at all costs or inciting confrontation between civilizations must be rejected, the embassy said on its website.

"In line with the noble will of the top leaders of both parties and countries, deepening and developing the traditional DPRK-China friendship remains the consistent position of the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government," the embassy quoted Kim as saying. DPRK refers to the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Chinese Ambassador Wang Yajun emphasized the importance of using dialogue among civilizations to illuminate the path of peace and development for humanity, uphold equality among civilizations, promote exchange, and advance progress, together forging a brighter future for humankind.

The embassy reported that about 60 guests attended the event, including officials from North Korea's foreign and culture ministries and diplomats stationed in North Korea.