Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), met the Chinese ambassador to the DPRK on Monday and praised the Chinese embassy for its contribution to the development of Sino-DPRK relations.

According to a report of DPRK's official KCNA news agency, Kim highly appreciated the positive efforts made by the Chinese embassy to contribute the development of the DPRK-China friendly and cooperative relations.

Ambassador Liu Hongcai conveyed warm greetings from Chinese President Hu Jintao to the DPRK leader.

Liu said Kim's two visits to China this year had played an important role in consolidating and developing the traditional China-DPRK friendship.

The DPRK leader also hosted a dinner for Liu and staff members of the embassy.

Also present at the meeting were Kim Jong Un, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), Ri Yong Ho, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK, and some other DPRK officials.