The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's leader, Kim Jong-il, paid an unofficial visit to China. He met with top Chinese leaders, and discussed bilateral as well as regional issues.

President Hu Jintao who is also the General Secretary of the central committee of the Communist Party of China held talks with the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Jong Il.

They met in Changchun, the capital city of Northeast China's Jilin Province last Friday.

During the meeting, Hu Jintao expressed a warm welcome to Kim on behalf of the CPC, Chinese government and its people.

He expressed gratitude for the condolences from the DPRK to landslide-hit Zhouqu in northwest China's Gansu province.

Hu also expressed sympathy to the DPRK and its people after a flood hit the country.

Hu Jintao says the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK is the common goals of the two governments, parties and people. It is the historical responsibility of the two sides to push forward their friendship with the progress of the times and from generation to generation.

Strengthening Sino-DPRK relations is the consistent policy of the CPC and the Chinese government.

Hu says China always handles, maintains and pushes forward relations with the DPRK in a strategic and long-term perspective, and will make joint efforts with the DPRK to upgrade the relationship to benefit the two and contribute to lasting regional peace and common prosperity.

Hu put forward four proposals to strengthen ties with the DPRK, including to maintain high-level contacts, to deepen economic and trade cooperation, to reinforce strategic coordination and to strengthen communication in international and regional affairs.

Kim was thankful for the invitation from President Hu Jintao.

He says he fully agrees with Hu's proposals on pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.

The traditional DPRK-China friendship, established by leaders of previous generations from the two states, has stood the test of time.

With the joint efforts from the two sides, sound momentum of development emerged in bilateral friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

During the meeting, the two leaders say the peace, stability, prosperity on the Korean Peninsula is in line with common interests of the two countries and Northeast Asia as a whole.

The two sides agree to work together towards the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Kim Jong-il says Pyongyang hopes for an early resumption of the six-party talks to ease tension on the Korean Peninsula.

He also expressed appreciation for China's efforts and contributions.

Kim, who is the General Secretary of the Korean Labour Party and Chairman of the National Defense Commission, visited China from August 26th till August 30th at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart.

During the unofficial tour, Kim also visited China's Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces.

After visiting some local enterprises, Kim says he gained a new understanding of China's development and progress, especially in harmonious development and innovation.

This is the second trip for the DPRK leader to China in the last three months.

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