Chinese leaders sent congratulatory messages on Wednesday to Kim Jong Il, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on his re-election as chairman of the National Defense Commission.

In their messages, both Chinese President Hu Jintao and Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China Jiang Zemin warmly congratulated Kim on the re-election.

Hu said the DPRK people will make new achievements in building socialism and striving for peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula under the leadership of the Korean Workers' Party.

It was the consistent policy of the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China to further develop the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK, Hu said.

"We believe the friendly cooperation between China and the DPRK will continue to make strides forward," he added.

In his message, Jiang said the traditional friendship between the two countries had enjoyed smooth development in recent years, and that their friendly cooperation was bound to be strengthened and developed through efforts by both sides.

Kim was re-elected Wednesday as Chairman of the National Defense Commission, the country's top military body.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2003)