Pyongyang, August 27 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il, today passed through Jilin Province, China.

He arrived in Tonghua City, Jilin Province this morning.

Tonghua City is recorded in the brilliant history of the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle of President Kim Il Sung. It is associated with his undying revolutionary relics as he waged a joint struggle with a unit of the Independence Army to form the Korean people's anti-Japanese national united front early in the 1930s.

Jilin Province where the DPRK-China friendship struck its deep roots is associated with the relics related to his visits to China in December 1950 and in September 1964.

When the train pulled in Tonghua Railway Station, he was warmly greeted by Sun Zhengcai, secretary of the Jilin Provincial Party Committee, Wang Yulin, governor of Jilin Province, Liu Baowei, secretary of Tonghua City Party Committee, Tian Wolin, mayor of Tonghua City, and other senior party and government officials of the province and the city.

Lovely children presented bouquets to him with words of warm welcome.

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 warm greetings with the officials present there to receive him and visited the Tonghua Wine Co. Ltd., conducted by them.

He recollected with deep emotion the noble footprints left by President Kim Il Sung when visiting the company nearly half a century ago.

He went round various places including the wine depot, its exhibition hall to learn in detail about the history of the company and its production system, storage of products and its taste. He wished the company greater progress in its work for the well-being of the people.

The party and government of the province hosted a grand banquet in honor of Kim Jong Il visiting the province.

He was present there on invitation.

Sun Zhengcai, secretary of the Jilin Provincial Party Committee, in his speech said it was particular privilege and honor for his province to receive Kim Jong Il three times in a little more than one year. He offered the highest regard and warm welcome to Kim Jong Il on behalf of the party, government and people of the province.

Noting that all the Chinese people including the people of the province are rejoiced as over their own over the successes made by the Korean people recently in their efforts to significantly commemorate the centenary of birth of Kim Il Sung, Sun Zhengcai expressed expectation and belief that the Korean people would surely win a shining victory in the drive for building a prosperous and powerful socialist nation under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea headed by Kim Jong Il.

Sun noted that the party, government and people of the province would join the Korean people in playing a bigger role in inheriting and developing the Sino-DPRK friendship generation after generation.

A performance was given in welcome of Kim Jong Il.

Put on the stage were colorful numbers including female chorus "Waves of Honghe" and Korean songs "Embrace of Country," an immortal classic masterpiece, and mixed chorus "We Are Running on Chollima Steed."

The performance was acclaimed by the audience.

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

He expressed thanks for the warm reception and cordial hospitality accorded to him by the party, government and people of Jilin Province. He wished them a fresh success in their efforts for the prosperity of the country and the well-being of its people under the leadership of the CPC.

He wrapped up his long trip to Northeast China and left this day for the homeland where the beloved people are waiting for him.

Before his departure, he exchanged warm farewell greetings with central leading officials including Wang Jiarui and Sheng Guangzu who conducted him with sincerity in the whole period of his visit and leading officials of the party and government of the province and the city including Sun Zhengcai and Wang Yulin.

When the train started from the border station, the Chinese leading officials of central and local areas warmly sent him off, waving their hands.

His transit and visit to Northeast China successfully took place thanks to the particular concern of General Secretary Hu Jintao and the party, the government and the people of China.

He expressed his satisfaction over the results of his visit and expressed sincere thanks to the Central Committee of the CPC, the State Council and leading officials and the people of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces for the kind and cordial hospitality accorded to him.

His transit and visit to Northeast China will be brilliantly recorded in the history of the DPRK-China friendship as they marked another important occasion in powerfully demonstrating the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the parties and countries of the DPRK and China and consolidating the ties of friendship between the two peoples.