Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping met Thursday with a youth delegation of the Democratic People\'s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Xi welcomed the 100-member youth group. China\'s Communist Youth League Central Committee invited the group to the country. Since diplomatic ties were forged in 1949, China and the DPRK have consolidated good-neighborly friendship, enhanced mutual-beneficial cooperation with mutual trust and support, contributed to regional peace and stability, he said. He hailed the current bilateral ties and cooperation achievements, saying China will constantly consolidate and develop the friendly cooperative relations so to preserve and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity. Ri Yong Chol, head of the delegation and DPRK\'s top youth official, pledged to further promote youth exchange between the two countries.