Hu Jintao said that over the past six decades the two countries have steadily developed the friendly relations provided by the leaders of the elder generation, adding that they are the common treasure of the two peoples.

Pointing out that it is the consistent stand of the party and government of China to steadily develop the Sino-DPRK friendship, he said that China would make positive efforts to boost the friendship between the two countries in the spirit of "Inheriting tradition, facing the future, continuing good neighborliness and enhancing cooperation."

He noted that China is pleased with the great successes made by the Korean people in different fields by displaying the spirit of self-reliance and fortitude under the guidance of the Workers' Party of Korea headed by the respected Comrade Kim Jong Il, expressing the belief that they would surely build a great prosperous and powerful nation.

Kim Yong Il expressed the conviction that the traditional DPRK-China friendship would develop in depth and its solidity and potential would be powerfully demonstrated internally and externally.

He sincerely hoped that the Chinese people would achieve greater successes in the work to build a harmonious socialist society based on the "view on scientific development" under the leadership of the Communist Party of China with the respected Comrade Hu Jintao as its general secretary.

Present there were the minister of Metal Industry, the minister of Agriculture, the minister of Foreign Trade, the minister of Culture and others of the DPRK.

The Chinese foreign minister and others were on hand.

The talks took place in a comradely and friendly atmosphere.