Kim Yong Il, the premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Wednesday expressed hopes that the Beijing Olympic Games will be held successfully.

He said the Games are not only the pride of the Chinese people, but also the joy of the DPRK people.

The premier attended a reception at the Chinese embassy to Pyongyang to celebrate the success of the Beijing Olympic torch relay in Pyongyang.

He said the successful torch relay enhanced China-DPRK friendship which is in accordance with the interests of the two peoples and also helpful for the stability of the region.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming expressed his appreciation over the efforts the DPRK government and people had taken to ensure the torch relay in Pyongyang was a success.

The 18th leg of the Beijing Olympic flame's global trip was held on April 28 in Pyongyang, where hundreds of thousands citizens lined along streets to give a grand welcome.

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2008)