China's top legislator Wu Bangguo said in Pyongyang Thursday that China is willing to explore ways for strengthening the economic cooperation between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, had a meeting with DPRK Premier Pak Bong Ju, during which the two leaders exchanged views on China-DPRK economic cooperation and the experience on each other's national construction.

Wu said it remains an unswerving guideline for the new Chinese leadership to further consolidate and develop the traditional cooperative ties between the two countries and China will make unremitting efforts for such end.

Wu briefed Pak on China's reform and opening drive and the current economic situation. He said the CPC and the Chinese government supports the DPRK to explore its own development path suitable to the DPRK's national conditions.

He said China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity.

Pak described Wu's visit an important opportunity to further the traditional friendship between the two countries, adding that the enhancement of the DPRK-China ties is the firm policy of the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government.

He also said it is of importance to actively develop the bilateral economic ties based on the good bilateral political relations.

He also thanked Wu for China's assistance.

Wu is now on an official goodwill visit to the DPRK.

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2003)