Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Choe Yong Rim visited Shanghai Wednesday.

Choe, also member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, said Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and the DPRK leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il had both visited the city and the people of the DPRK are familiar with it as well.

Choe made the remarks when meeting with Mayor of Shanghai Han Zheng, adding that he hopes Shanghai and the DPRK's city of Hamhung-si will enhance cooperation and make new contributions to the development of the relationship between China and the DPRK.

He said that the drama "Sentinels Under Neon Lights," which was staged in the DPRK again in 2009, met with great success.

"This drama tells the story of the CPC's management of Shanghai when the People's Republic of China had just been founded. History has shown that only under the leadership of the CPC could Shanghai have gone from an imperialism-driven trading port to an international economic center," said Choe.

Choe also congratulated the mayor on the success of the Shanghai World Expo held last year. He said the World Expo is known as an "Economic Olympics," and the success of the Shanghai World Expo also proved that China can be more prosperous under the leadership of the CPC.

"This visit to Shanghai is an important opportunity. I hope Shanghai will always lead China's efforts in building a well-off society in an all-around way," Choe said.

Noting that Shanghai is a model of China's reform and opening up drive, Han said Shanghai is willing to make more contributions to cooperation between China and the DPRK under the unified arrangements of the central government.

Choe arrived in Shanghai Wednesday morning. He will visit the Baosteel Group, Bailian Xijiao Goods Purchasing Center and the Chinese Pavilion of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo before leaving for neighboring Jiangsu Province on Thursday.