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 26 passed through Heilongjiang Province, the People's Republic of China.

He arrived in Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang Province this morning.

When the train pulled in Qiqihar Railway Station, he was warmly greeted by Ji Bingxuan, secretary of the Heilongjiang Provincial Party Committee, Wang Xiankui, governor of Heilongjiang Province, the secretary of the Qiqihar City Party Committee, the mayor of Qiqihar City and other senior party and government officials of the province and the city.

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, 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, O Su Yong, chief secretary of the North Hamgyong Provincial Committee of the WPK, Ji Jae Ryong, DPRK ambassador to China, and Ri Ki Bom, DPRK consul general in Shenyang.

He was also accompanied by Wang Jiarui, head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Sheng Guangzu, minister of Railways, and other senior central officials.

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

Ji Bingxuan said it is great honor and pride to welcome to their place Kim Jong Il on a long foreign tour for friendship among countries and warmly welcomed him on behalf of the party, the government and the people of Heilongjiang Province.

This day Kim Jong Il on a visit to Northeast China was kindly greeted by Dai Bingguo, state councilor of China who came to Heilongjiang Province upon the special authorization of General Secretary Hu Jintao and the Central Committee of the CPC.

He exchanged warm greetings with Dai Bingguo and had a talk with him.

Dai Bingguo said that Northeast China receiving Kim Jong Il again after the lapse of three months is now wrapped in a festive atmosphere. He offered warm welcome to Kim Jong Il on behalf of General Secretary Hu Jintao, the collective leadership of the CPC and all the Chinese people.

Dai Bingguo said the appreciation made by Kim Jong Il of the socialist modernization drive in China while traveling Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang Province constitutes great encouragement and support to the Chinese people advancing under the leadership of the CPC, adding that the party, government and people of China would join the Korean comrades in striving hard to boost the traditional Sino-DPRK friendship.

Dai Bingguo hosted a banquet at the Sianhe State Guesthouse in Qiqihar City in honor of Kim Jong Il visiting Northeast China.

Kim Jong Il learned about the economic development in the province, visiting various enterprises and construction projects in Qiqihar City and Daqing City of the province this day.

He was accompanied by Dai Bingguo, Wang Jiarui, Sheng Guangzu, Ji Bingxuan, Wang Xiankui and other central, provincial and city party and government leading officials.

Kim Jong Il visited the Qiqihar Machine Tool Group Co. No. 2 and the Qiqihar Branch Company of the Mengniu Dairy.

He also visited the urban planning exhibition hall in Daqing City and was briefed on the urban construction and long-term plan. Then he went round the housing construction district, a large bridge, Lake Liming Bridge now under construction and other places in the province.

The provincial party committee gave a banquet at the Daqing State Guesthouse No. 9 this evening in honor of Kim Jong Il visiting the province.

He was present at the banquet on invitation.

Ji Bingxuan said that the historic visit paid by Kim Jong Il to Heilongjiang Province again after the lapse of the three months is a striking demonstration of the Sino-DPRK friendship growing stronger day by day, adding that the provincial party, government and people would join the Korean people in playing a greater role in inheriting and developing the Sino-DPRK friendship generation after generation.

A special performance was given in welcome of Kim Jong Il.

The performance was given by well-known national art troupes and artistes in the region including the national music band and dancing troupe of the Music and Dance Theatre of Heilongjiang Province.

Their repertoire included male solo "Song of Boats on the River Wusuli ", dance "Blessing", instrumental music duet "Celebration" and Korean songs "We Spread Flower Seeds of Revolution", "Glad to See You" and "Platycodon".

Kim Jong Il conveyed a floral basket to the artistes in congratulation of their successful performance.

He was presented with a gift by the provincial party and people's government this day in welcome of him visiting the province.

He expressed thanks for the warm reception and cordial hospitality accorded to him by the party, government and people of Heilongjiang Province. He hoped the people of the province 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 this day amid the warm send-off by Dai Bingguo and senior officials of the province.