Kim Jong-il, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), said Thursday that his latest meeting with China's new collective leadership will further promote the friendship and trust between the DPRK and China and mark an epoch-making milestone in the history of the bilateral relations.  

Kim, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission, made these remarks in a letter of thanks to his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao.

He thanked the Chinese leaders for the warm welcome and hospitality during his unofficial visit to China from April 19 to 21 at the invitation of Hu, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and president of China.

China's new collective leadership attaches great importance to and treasures the Sino-DPRK traditional friendship, and is devoted to consolidating and developing the friendship in the new century, said Kim, adding that he was deeply encouraged by this.

He said during the meeting, the first of such after China's new collective leadership took office for more than a year, both sides agreed that the Sino-DPRK friendship is a precious heritage and wealth left by the two countries' leaders of elder generations, and it should be consolidated and developed with unremitting efforts.

Kim expressed belief that under the guidance of the spirit, the Sino-DPRK friendship will be lifted to a new level and show a strong vitality in the new century.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2004)