Members of the first tourist party from China to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) pose for a group photo after arriving at the airport of Pyongyang, capital of DPRK, April 12, 2010. (Xinhua/Yao Ximeng)

PYONGYANG, April 12  -- A Chinese tourist group made up of 35 government officials and tourists arrived here Monday, becoming the first of its kind to visit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) since China granted destination status to its neighbor in February.

The group, headed by Vice President of the Chinese Travel Bureau Zhu Shanzhong, was warmly welcomed by the tourism department of the DPRK on their arrival.

Kang Chel Su, vice president of the DPRK'S Korea International Travel Company, said in a speech at the airport that the traditional DPRK-China friendship, fostered by the older generation of the revolutionaries of the two countries, has grown to a new level.