Pyongyang, August 26 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on August 25 visited the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region located in the Northeast area of the People's Republic of China on his way home after winding up his visit to the Siberian and Far East regions of Russia.

He arrived in Manzhouli of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, the border railway station, this afternoon.

When the train pulled in the railway station, he was warmly greeted by Wang Jiarui, head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Sheng Guangzu, minister of Railways, Hu Chunhua, secretary of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Regional Party Committee, Fu Taizeng, secretary general of the autonomous regional party committee, Luo Zhihu, secretary of the Hulun Buir City Party Committee, the mayor of Hulun Buir City, the secretary of the Manzhouli City Party Committee and other central and local senior officials of China.

He exchanged cordial greetings with the senior officials and had a talk with them.

Wang Jiarui said he was specially dispatched to Manzhouli to conduct Kim Jong Il who is passing through the PRC upon the authorization of the collective leadership of China including Hu Jintao. He paid highest tribute to Kim Jong Il for having made a great contribution to boosting the friendship among countries and accomplishing the human cause of independence through his energetic external activities.

Kim Jong Il thanked Wang Jiarui and other senior central and local officials and people for their warm reception.

He, conducted by senior party and government officials of the autonomous region, toured Hailar District, Hulun Buir City of the region.

Commanding a bird's-eye view of the night scenery, he got familiar with the history and culture of the region and the achievements made by its people in construction.

The Inner Mongolian Autonomous Regional Committee of the CPC gave a grand banquet at the Tianjiao State Guest House in honor of Kim Jong Il visiting the region.

He was present on invitation.

Speeches were made.

Hu Chunhua said that today we welcomed Kim Jong Il to this vast steppe where President Kim Il Sung was accorded warm welcome several times long ago, thereby seeing the desire of the party, the government and the people of the autonomous region come true at last.

Hu Chunhua noted that the traditional Sino-DPRK friendship will remain ever-green like the vast steppe along with history, expressing firm belief that the friendly Korean people would make fresh success in the efforts to improve the standard of people's living and build a prosperous and powerful nation.

A specially prepared art performance was given in honor of Kim Jong Il.

Artistes of the autonomous region including Hulun Buir National Song and Dance Troupe put on the stage such colorful numbers strong in national flavor as national song and dance "Song of Wedding", national instrumental solo "Vast Steppe", dance "Dance of Bowl", chorus "Calling You" and Korean song "Arirang".

The performers clearly reflected the boundless respect and reverence of the government and the people of the region for Kim Jong Il visiting China again for the development of the Sino-DPRK friendship.

Kim Jong Il conveyed a floral basket to the performers in congratulation of their successful performance and had a photo taken with them.

He was presented with a gift by Hu Chunhua on behalf of the party committee of the autonomous region.

He expressed thanks for the warm reception and cordial hospitality accorded him by the party, government and people of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region. He hoped the people of the region would achieve a fresh victory in their struggle for the prosperity and development of the country under the leadership of the CPC.

Kim Jong Il departed for the next destination that day amid the warm send-off from the leading officials of the region.

He was accompanied by Kim Yong Chun, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and minister of the People's Armed Forces, Kang Sok Ju, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and vice-premier of the Cabinet, Jang Song Thaek, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and vice-chairman of the NDC, and Kim Yong Il, Kim Yang Gon, Pak To Chun and Thae Jong Su, alternate members of the Political Bureau and secretaries of the C.C., the WPK, Pak Pong Ju, first vice department director of the C.C., the WPK, and O Su Yong, chief secretary of the North Hamgyong Provincial Committee of the WPK, Ji Jae Ryong, DPRK ambassador to China, and Ri Ki Pom, DPRK consul general in Shenyang.