Present there were Kang Sok Ju, first vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Xiaoming.

Wang Jiarui conveyed to Kim Jong Il congratulations and a personal message sent by Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China, on the occasion of the lunar New Year and presented a gift prepared by the delegation to him.

Kim Jong Il expressed thanks for this and asked Wang Jiarui to convey his congratulations on the lunar New Year to the senior officials of the party and the state of China including Hu Jintao.

He warmly welcomed the delegation of the CPC that came to the DPRK early this year, the significant "year of DPRK-China friendship," and had a cordial and friendly talk with Wang Jiarui.

Then, he hosted a luncheon in honor of the guests.

The luncheon took place in an amicable atmosphere.