Pyongyang, December 19 (KCNA) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi Monday expressed deep condolences over the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.

When meeting with the DPRK charge d'affaires a.i. in Beijing, he said as follows:

Kim Jong Il, the great leader of the Workers' Party and state of Korea, devoted all his energies to the cause of socialist revolution and construction in the DPRK and performed immortal feats.

Kim Jong Il was a close friend of the Chinese people.

The party, government and people of China express deep condolences over his demise.

The Chinese people will always remember him.

We are convinced that the Korean people will overcome sorrow and display strength, achieve steady and fresh successes in the overall work for socialist construction and make a fresh contribution to realizing lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, united single-mindedly under the leadership of Kim Jong Un and the Workers' Party of Korea.