Kim Jong Il meets Chinese official

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-23 22:39

PYONGYANG -- Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), met with Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, here Friday, to discuss bilateral ties and the DPRK's efforts of denuclearization.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il (C) and Wang Jiarui (L), head of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, talk at a meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea, January 23, 2009. [Xinhua] More photos: Kim Jong Il meets visiting CPC official

During their meeting, Kim spoke highly of China's key role as the host country in the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

The DPRK is committed to making the Korean Peninsula a nuclear-free zone and wishes to live in peace with all the parties concerned, Kim said.

The DPRK does not want the peninsula to be beset with tension, and is ready to better coordinate with China in a joint effort to push forward the six-party talks, he added.

Wang, for his part, said China has always committed to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

China is ready to enhance exchange with the DPRK and work together to overcome hindrances and ensure the six-party talks to make continuous progress, Wang said.

During his visit, Wang also delivered a letter to Kim from Chinese President Hu Jintao. In his letter, Hu, on behalf of the CPC, the Chinese government and people, extended Spring Festival greetings to the DPRK party, government and people.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the DPRK, and 2009 is also the "Year of the China-DPRK Friendship," the Chinese president noted in the letter.

The China-DPRK friendship and cooperative relations fostered by leaders of the older generation of the two countries have been developing constantly and are becoming ever stronger, Hu said.

China has all along treasured its relations with the DPRK and is ready to work with it to broaden and deepen bilateral cooperation and exchanges in various fields, he added.

Hu said he is convinced that the DPRK government and people will make greater achievements under the strong leadership of the Workers' Party led by Kim.

Kim highly commented on China's achievements in economic and social development. He noted that China overcame huge difficulties last year whose severity was rarely seen, and successfully hosted the Beijing Olympic Games.

The Chinese president also invited Kim to visit China once again.

Kim gladly accepted the invitation, saying his country has always highly valued its ties with China, and will continue to do so in the future, as it is the consistent stance of the DPRK.

The "Year of DPRK-China Friendship" launched at the 60th anniversary of the two nations' diplomatic ties was aimed to help the younger generations of both countries to understand the significance of the DPRK-China traditional friendship, Kim said.

Kim and Wang also exchanged views on other international and regional issues of common concern.

On Thursday, Wang met with Kim Yong II, prime minister of the DPRK.

Wang arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday at the invitation of the Workers' Party of Korea.