Kim Jong Il, the top leader of North Korea, met Pyongyang on Wednesday with Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Kim told Wang that North Korea highly values the friendship with China, saying the bilateral relationship has been developing smoothly.

He said North Korea willing to work with China to increase communication and coordination and push forward the North Korea-China relations.

Both sides discussed the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. Wang said positive development has been made in six-party talks, calling for the "full implementation" of the existing agreements on the issue.

He expressed the hope that all parties concerned should continue to take positive steps and fulfill their commitments to push forward the six-party talks and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

Kim said North Korea's stance on fulfillment of commitment under the six-party talks remains unchanged, adding that the parties concerned should fulfill their commitment under the principle of "action for action."

Kim told Wang that North Korea will cooperate with China to push forward the full implementation of agreements.

Wang arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday for a visit till February 2.
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(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2008)