Premier Wen Jiabao met in Beijing with Kim Jong-il, general
secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the
National Defense Commission of North Korea.
At the invitation of Hu Jintao, general secretary of the
Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Chinese
president, Kim paid an unofficial visit to China from January 10 to
18.
Wen said China and North Korea are friendly neighbors. The two
countries should further expand cooperation in various fields on
the basis of equality, mutual benefit and respect in a bid to
benefit the two peoples and promote regional peace and
stability.
China-North Korea trade and economic cooperation is an important
part of bilateral relations, he said. It is important to stick to
the principle of government guidance, enterprises' participation
and market operation.
Wen suggested both countries make full play of the role of the
bilateral joint committee of trade, economy and technology,
continue to explore new fields and ways for cooperation, and lift
the level of China-North Korea trade and economic cooperation.
Wen also briefed Kim about China's current economic situation
and its eleventh five-year program.
Kim expressed congratulations over the remarkable achievements
China has made in its economic and social development.
He said North Korea is glad to see that China's new collective
leadership attaches great importance to further enriching the new
contents of North Korea-China friendly cooperative ties under the
new circumstance.
Kim said he is very satisfied with North Korea-China cooperation
in the fields of trade, economy and personnel training. North Korea
is willing to join hands with China to learn from each other, share
experience, enhance cooperation and promote greater achievements of
North Korea-China traditional friendship in various fields, in a
bid to benefit the two countries and two peoples.
(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2006)
