On 5 May, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the PRC
Hu Jintao Held Talks with WPK General Secretary and Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the DPRK Kim Jong Il at the Great Hall of the People in
At the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China (PRC) Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Il paid an unofficial visit to China from 3 to 7 May, during which he visited and inspected Beijing, Tianjin and Liaoning Province.
In Beijing, General Secretary Hu Jintao held talks with General Secretary Kim Jong Il, hosted a welcoming banquet in his honor, and accompanied him on a visit to CapitalBio Corporation. Wu Bangguo, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), and Wen Jiabao, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, met separately with Kim Jong II. Other members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, namely Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang, accompanied Kim in inspections or other activities.
During the talks, Hu Jintao expressed warm welcome to Kim Jong Il for visiting China again on behalf of the CPC and government and people of China and sincere thanks to the DPRK for sending messages of condolence shortly after the strong earthquake that hit Yushu, Qinghai Province and for actively supporting and participating in Expo 2010 Shanghai China. Hu said that the traditional friendship between the two countries is a valuable asset for CPC and WPK and the two peoples and it is the shared historical responsibility of the two sides to deepen such friendship as time passes and hand it down to future generations. New progress has been made in China-DPRK relations in recent years. In 2009 in particular, the two countries celebrated the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations, successfully held a series of activities in the context of PRC-DPRK friendship year, and conducted productive bilateral political interactions as well as exchanges and cooperation in various other fields. Consolidating and developing the friendly and cooperative ties with the DPRK is a firm policy of the CPC and government of China. China will, as always, approach, maintain and promote the bilateral relationship from a strategic height and long-term perspective, and is willing to work with the DPRK side to advance China-DPRK relations to a new level so as to bring greater benefit to the two peoples and make greater contribution to lasting peace and common prosperity of the region.
Hu Jintao pointed out that strengthening PRC-DPRK cooperation is conducive to the building of socialism in both countries, the maintenance and advancement of their shared interests, and the protection and promotion of regional peace, stability and prosperity. From this perspective, Hu put forward five proposals: Firstly, maintain high-level exchanges. Leaders of the two sides should stay in close contact through flexible and diverse ways including exchange of visits, special envoys and messages. Secondly, strengthen strategic communication. The two sides should have in-depth communication on both ad hoc and regular basis over issues of mutual interest, such as major domestic and foreign policy issues, international and regional situation, and experience of running the Party and governing the country. Thirdly, deepen economic and trade cooperation. The relevant departments of the two governments should conduct earnest discussions and study on deepening such cooperation. Fourthly, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The two sides should deepen exchanges in culture, education, sports and other fields, especially youth exchanges, so as to pass the traditional PRC-DPRK friendship to future generations. And fifthly, strengthen coordination in international and regional affairs to better safeguard regional peace and stability.
Kim Jong Il thanked Hu Jintao for his kind invitation and warm reception and expressed full agreement with the five proposals concerning practical cooperation. Kim pointed out that the DPRK-PRC traditional friendship, fostered and cultivated by the leaders of older generations, has stood the test of time and will not change with the passage of time and generations. The series of activities conducted by the two countries last year in celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties helped to lift DPRK-PRC friendship to a new historical height. With concerted efforts of both sides, friendly exchanges and cooperation in various bilateral fields are displaying a good momentum of development. The newly agreed New Yalu River Bridge project will become a new symbol of friendly cooperation. The DPRK side welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in the DPRK on the basis of mutual benefit and win-win results to actively upgrade practical cooperation between the two sides. Kim stressed that the WPK and government of the DPRK will, as always, view and handle DPRK-PRC relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective and are committed to consolidating and advancing the DRPK-PRC relationship.
Kim Jong Il offered warm congratulations on the successful opening of the Shanghai World Expo and again expressed condolence on the heavy casualties and property losses caused by the Yushu earthquake. He said that every time he came to China he could deeply feel the new achievements made by the Chinese people in the great cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. During the visit this time to Dalian, Tianjin and Shenyang, he witnessed again the dynamism of these traditional industrial cities. China's development achievements are a tremendous inspiration to the people of DPRK.
The two leaders briefed each other on their respective domestic economic and social development. Kim Jong Il said that work in all aspects is proceeding smoothly in the DPRK and raising the people's living standards is the central task of the WPK. Hu Jintao positively assessed the positive measures taken by the DPRK to maintain stability, develop the economy and improve people's livelihood, and wished the people of DPRK greater accomplishments in national development under the leadership of the WPK with General Secretary Kim Jong Il as the head. Kim expressed his conviction that under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Hu Jintao as the General Secretary, the Chinese people will continue to achieve great victories in the historical course of strengthening the CPC's governing capability, implementing the Scientific Outlook on Development and building a harmonious society.
The two sides also had a candid exchange of views on the international situation, the situation in Northeast Asia and the Six-Party Talks. Both sides agreed that peace, stability and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula accord with the shared interests of the two countries and common interests of all countries in Northeast Asia. The two sides will make joint efforts to achieve the goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula according to the position outlined in the Joint Statement of 19 September 2005. Both sides agreed that all parties in the Six-Party Talks should demonstrate sincerity and make active efforts to advance the Six-Party Talks. The DPRK side stated that there has not been any change in its commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The DPRK is willing to work with all relevant parties to create favorable conditions for resuming the Six-Party Talks. The DPRK side expressed appreciation to the Chinese side for its positive efforts and contribution to the Six-Party Talks.
Kim Jong Il warmly invited Hu Jintao to visit the DPRK again at a convenient time. Hu expressed his thanks for the invitation and accepted it with pleasure.
In his meeting with Kim Jong Il, Wu Bangguo spoke positively of the fifth visit of Kim to China in the new century. He said that reviewing the past, the last 60 years of PRC-DPRK diplomatic ties witnessed fluctuations and vicissitudes in the international situation, joint hard endeavors of the two peoples and the continuous development of the tested PRC-DPRK relations. In the first year marking the beginning of another 60-year cycle of PRC-DPRK relations, the meetings and in-depth discussions between the leaders of the two countries on the further development of bilateral relations have great significance. With concerted efforts, the two sides will certainly write new chapters in PRC-DPRK relations. Wu also briefed Kim on the annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held earlier this year.
Kim Jong Il agreed with Wu's positive assessment of the DPRK-PRC relations. He said the comprehensive development of bilateral relations meets the fundamental interests of the two parties, peoples and countries. The two sides have the reason, foundation and responsibility to enhance friendly exchanges in various fields. The WPK and government of the DPRK will, as always, attach importance to and support the enhanced inter-parliamentary exchanges and cooperation.
In his meeting with Kim Jong Il, Wen Jiabao expressed thanks for the warm reception by the WPK and government and people of the DPRK during his visit last October, and said he has fond impressions of the joint celebrations of 60 years of diplomatic relations. At present, the two sides are enjoying active exchanges and cooperation in various fields. General Secretary Kim Jong Il's visit will further intensify the traditional friendly relations between the two parties, countries and peoples. Wen said that China will continue to support the DPRK in growing the economy and improving people's livelihood and is willing to share China's experience of reform, opening and development. Trade and economic cooperation between the two countries has great potential. Both sides should, for the benefit of their people, work together to actively promote key cooperation projects, speed up infrastructural construction along the border, and explore new areas and means of cooperation.
Kim happily recalled Wen's successful visit to the DPRK last year. He said that the constantly strengthened cooperation between the DPRK and the PRC in trade, agriculture, science and technology and other key projects has great significance for promoting friendly relations between the two countries. The DPRK stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with the PRC to push for new and significant progress in various areas of practical cooperation.
During his visit, Kim Jong Il visited and inspected development zones, bonded ports, food processing plants, and science, technology and machinery manufacturing enterprises in Dalian, Tianjin, Beijing and Shenyang. During his inspection tour, Kim Jong Il heard briefings by leaders of provincial CPC committees and governments and of relevant enterprises. During a visit to Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company, he climbed on to a two-meter-high driver's cab and asked for details about the performance and control procedures of the locomotive. During a visit to Dalian Xuelong Industrial Group, he asked for a detailed briefing on the breeding and feeding cost of beef cattle. He also instructed his delegation to earnestly study China's practices and experiences of transforming old industrial bases in northeast China. In a visit to the bonded port in Tianjin, Kim was amazed by the construction speed and scale of the port. While in Beijing, Kim noted that after a hiatus of four years he was back in China again. Through field visits and study tours, he gained a new understanding and feeling of what China has achieved and saw in particular the bountiful results China has achieved in harmonious development and innovation-based development. The people of DPRK are proud of China's achievements in national development.
Wang Qishan, Liu Qi, Zhang Gaoli, Guo Boxiong, Ling Jihua, Wang Huning, Dai Bingguo and leading comrades of relevant provinces and municipalities accompanied Kim in various activities.
Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission and Minister of the People's Armed Forces Kim Yong Chun, WPK Central Committee secretaries Choe Thae Bok and Kim Ki Nam, First Vice Foreign Minister Kang Sok Ju, ministers of the WPK Central Committee Chang Sung Taek, Kim Yong II and Kim Yang Gon, First Deputy Minister of the WPK Central Committee Ju Kyu Chang, National Defense Commission directors Hyon Chol Hae and Lee Myung Soo, Chief Secretary of the South Hamgyong Provincial Committee of the WPK Thae Jong Su and Chief Secretary of the North Phyongan Provincial Committee of the WPK Kim Phyong Hae also accompanied Kim Jong Il in various activities.