Chinese, DPRK leaders meet on bilateral ties, denuclearization of Korean Peninsula

PYONGYANG, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), held talks here on Monday and reached important consensus on China-DPRK relations and the promotion of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), during a meeting in Pyongyang, capital of the DPRK, Oct. 5, 2009.(Xinhua/Fan Rujun)

Premier Wen extended sincere greetings and best wishes to Kim on behalf of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

The hard-earned friendship and friendly cooperative relations achieved by the joint efforts of several generations of the two countries conform to the aspiration of the two peoples, Wen said, adding that the two nations should pass on the friendship from generation to generation.

China is willing to work with the DPRK to maintain high-level exchanges, deepen pragmatic cooperation, strengthen coordination on major issues, and push forward the good-neighborly and friendly cooperative relations, he added.

Kim asked Wen to relay his greetings to Chinese President Hu.

Kim said Wen's official goodwill visit, which coincided with the 60th anniversary of the DPRK-China ties and the China-DPRK Friendship Year, demonstrates the importance that China has attached to developing ties with the DPRK.