A North Korean minister told a visiting Chinese minister that Pyongyang wants to "further strengthen" bilateral cooperation with Beijing, reinforcing views that their political ties are growing warmer.

Kang Ha-guk, North Korea's health minister and chairman of the North Korea-China Friendship Association, made the remarks as he greeted Li Liguo, China's civil affairs minister, at the Koryo Hotel in Pyongyang late last month, according to a statement released by the Chinese Embassy in North Korea.

The Chinese minister visited Pyongyang on Oct. 26 and paid his respects to both Chinese and North Korean soldiers who were killed during the 1950-53 Korean War.

The visit by Li to North Korea came amid signs of an easing in strained political ties between the allies after Liu Yunshan, the Chinese Communist Party's fifth-ranked official, held talks with North Korea's young leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang earlier last month.

Kang told Li that North Korea "will never forget" the Chinese intervention in the Korean War.

"North Korea will further strengthen cooperation with China in various fields and jointly promote the development of China-North Korean friendly and cooperative relations," the statement quoted Kang as saying.

Kang's remarks were made on Oct. 28 in a ceremony at the Koryo Hotel with the Chinese minister in attendance, according to the statement, which was posted on the Chinese Embassy's website earlier this week.

North Korea's third nuclear test in 2013 angered China's leadership, and ties showed signs of further strain after Kim executed his uncle Jang Song-thaek, who had played a key role in business projects with China.

Since Liu attended a key North Korean anniversary and met with the North Korean leader, many analysts have expected political ties between North Korea and China to grow warmer. (Yonhap)