Premier Wen Jiabao met in Beijing with Kim Jong-il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the National Defense Commission of North Korea.

 

At the invitation of Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Chinese president, Kim paid an unofficial visit to China from January 10 to 18.

 

Wen said China and North Korea are friendly neighbors. The two countries should further expand cooperation in various fields on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and respect in a bid to benefit the two peoples and promote regional peace and stability.

 

China-North Korea trade and economic cooperation is an important part of bilateral relations, he said. It is important to stick to the principle of government guidance, enterprises' participation and market operation.

 

Wen suggested both countries make full play of the role of the bilateral joint committee of trade, economy and technology, continue to explore new fields and ways for cooperation, and lift the level of China-North Korea trade and economic cooperation.

 

Wen also briefed Kim about China's current economic situation and its eleventh five-year program.

 

Kim expressed congratulations over the remarkable achievements China has made in its economic and social development.

 

He said North Korea is glad to see that China's new collective leadership attaches great importance to further enriching the new contents of North Korea-China friendly cooperative ties under the new circumstance.

 

Kim said he is very satisfied with North Korea-China cooperation in the fields of trade, economy and personnel training. North Korea is willing to join hands with China to learn from each other, share experience, enhance cooperation and promote greater achievements of North Korea-China traditional friendship in various fields, in a bid to benefit the two countries and two peoples.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2006)