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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Jong-Il, have watched "A Dream of Red Mansions," a DPRK-staged opera adapted from a Chinese masterpiece.

Wen Jiabao held friendly talks with Kim before the show. The two leaders congratulated the DPRK artists on their successful performance. The Chinese classic, written during the Qing Dynasty, is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Chinese literature.

Under the instruction of late DPRK leader Kim Il-Sung, the country's artists adapted the work for the stage in the 1960s. They have presented the opera to many Chinese leaders of the older generation, including Deng Xiaoping. In 2008, DPRK leader Kim Jong-Il instructed the opera to be improved and re-staged as a major event for the China-DPRK Friendship Year.

Premier Wen Jiabao (R) is greeted at the airport by Kim Jong Il (L), top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea  (DPRK) upon his arrival in Pyongyang, capital of DPRK, Oct. 4, 2009.(Xinhua photo)