The Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Yong Il, has vowed closer cooperation with east China's Shandong Province.

Visiting Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Il(L) talks with Jiang Yikang (R), secretary of the Shandong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) during their meeting in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, March 17, 2009. Kim kicked off his official goodwill visit to China Tuesday.[Zhu Zheng/Xinhua]

Kim arrived in Beijing Tuesday before traveling to Jinan, capital of Shandong, on his first China trip as premier. The visit, made at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, is scheduled to end March 21.

In a meeting with Shandong officials, Kim said the traditional bilateral friendship nurtured by leaders of the elder generations had witnessed sound development over the years.

Calling his China tour an important part of the China-DPRK Friendship Year, an annual bilateral exchange program, Kim said the DPRK is willing to further strengthen cooperation with Shandong in various areas including politics, economics and culture.

Visiting Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Il (L, Front) meets with Jiang Yikang (R, Front), secretary of the Shandong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, March 17, 2009. Kim kicked off his official goodwill visit to China Tuesday.[Zhu Zheng/Xinhua]

Shandong's Communist Party chief, Jiang Yikang, told Kim the province hopes to use the opportunity of the China-DPRK Friendship Year to carry out substantial cooperation with the DPRK.

Kim will conclude his visit to Shandong on Wednesday and return to Beijing for activities marking the 60th anniversary of the China-DPRK diplomatic ties.

(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2009)