Chinese premier starts DPRK visit, deals signed

Officials from China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) signed a series of agreements on cooperation on Sunday in Pyongyang.

Premier Wen Jiabao and his DPRK counterpart Kim Yong-il attended the signing ceremony.

The Chinese Premier arrived in Pyongyang at around 11:00 am local time (0200 GMT) Sunday morning and was greeted at the airport by DPRK's Kim Jong-il.

Wen is in Pyongyang for a three-day visit at the invitation of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee and the DPRK government.

Wen, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, will hold talks with DPRK leaders on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern, China's Foreign Ministry said.

The Chinese premier will attend commemorative events of the China-DPRK Friendship Year, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations.

The retinue of Chinese officials travelling with Wen included Commerce Minister Chen Deming, National Development and Reform Commission chief Zhang Ping, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, and a senior military officer, Liu Zhenqi, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

The DPRK was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with New China. The two countries forged diplomatic ties on Oct. 6, 1949, days after the People's Republic of China was founded.