The news served as a reminder of the history of the DPRK-China friendship forged in the flames of the revolutionary struggle.

Recorded in the history are great feats performed by President Kim Il Sung in developing the bilateral ties with ardent human love and revolutionary obligation.

His relationship with Zhou Baozhong, who was a commanding officer of the Anti-Japanese Allied Army, is one of the examples showing his devoted effort for the development of friendship between the two countries.

It was in the early 1930s that he met Zhou in east Manchuria for the first time.

Their comradely relationship, which started in the anti-Japanese struggle, continued for scores of years.

In the mid-1930s Zhou was worrying himself about no progress in rallying Chinese anti-Japanese units. What is worse, he was injured in the Luozigou battle in June 1934.

At that time he requested some recommendations from Kim Il Sung, who had rich experience in handling matters with anti-Japanese units.

Kim Il Sung made a long, arduous journey to north Manchuria to help Zhou.

Later, he, though suffering from a chill, sent his man to Zhou with medicines.

Their relationship went on in the period of the Chinese people's war for the liberation of the northeast region.

Zhou often said the Chinese people should never forget the sincere internationalist assistance rendered by the Korean people led by Kim Il Sung for the liberation of northeast China.

In the period of the Korean war (June 1950-July 1953) Zhou sent his aide and driver to Korea to attend Kim Il Sung.

After Zhou passed away, Kim Il Sung recalled that he looked taciturn and blunt, but was kindhearted and faithful to his obligations and that he knew how to show good will to a man of good will and offer sympathy to a sympathetic man.