Chinese President Jiang Zemin expressed his conviction Monday in Pyongyang that his visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is bound to further the traditional friendship between the two ruling parties, countries and peoples.

In a speech made upon his arrival here, Jiang also expressed his belief that the visit will help promote the common prosperity and development of the two countries and make contributions to safeguarding peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the region as a whole.

Jiang was here to start a three-day official goodwill visit at the invitation of Kim Jong Il, general-secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee and chairman of the National Defense Commission.

Saying he brought with him the Chinese people's deep friendship, Jiang, also general-secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, expressed his greetings and best wishes to the Korean people.

Under the firm leadership of the WPK in the past half a century and more, Jiang said, the brave and diligent Korean people have set up the people's government, gained the victory of the liberation of the Fatherland and made notable accomplishments in the socialist construction.

In the past few years, Jiang went on to say, the WPK has led its people to forge ahead along the socialist path with Korean characteristics, and made remarkable achievements in overcoming economic difficulties, improving relations with the South and developing foreign relations.

Jiang also spoke highly of the traditional friendship between the two peoples which was initiated and fostered by leaders of the old generation of the two countries, saying that the friendship has been deepened continuously in the two peoples' struggles for national liberation, for maintaining peace and for building their countries.

Pointing to Kim's two visits to China, one in May last year and the other early this year, Jiang stressed that the two visits had consolidated, developed and deepened the traditional friendship between the two parties, countries and peoples.

Jiang said he will hold wide-ranging talks with Kim and other DPRK leaders on bilateral relations in the new century and other issues of common concern.

(People's Daily 09/03/2001)