Chinese Hu meets DPRK premier on bilateral ties

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R Front) meets with Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Il (L Front) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2009. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao told the Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Il Thursday he believes the China-DPRK Friendship Year would elevate bilateral cooperation to a higher level.

At the beginning of their meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Hu extended a warm welcome to Kim. He said he believes Kim's trip and the China-DPRK Friendship Year would further enhance substantial cooperation and friendship between the two peoples.

As this year marks the 60th anniversary of the China-DPRK diplomatic ties, Hu and DPRK top leader Kim Jong Il began the Friendship Year at the beginning of 2009 and sent congratulation letters to each other.

Kim conveyed greetings from Kim Jong Il to President Hu. He said the Friendship Year, a year-long bilateral exchange program, aims to inform the younger generations about the importance of the DPRK-China friendship.

It is Kim's first visit to China since he took office in April 2007.