Pyongyang, December 27 (KCNA) -- Dai Bingguo, state councilor of the People's Republic of China, and Liu Qi, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC, Tuesday paid a condolatory visit to the DPRK embassy in Beijing on the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.

They were accompanied by Zai Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Chen Fengxiang, deputy head of the International Liaison Department of the C.C., CPC, the permanent deputy mayor of the Beijing Municipal People's Government, Zhang Kunsheng, assistant to the foreign minister, and other officials concerned.

Wreaths were laid before the portrait of Kim Jong Il in the name of Dai Bingguo and Liu Qi and in the joint name of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC and the Beijing Municipal People's Government.

The mourners bowed three times before the portrait of Kim Jong Il, expressing deep condolences.

Dai Bingguo with tears in his eyes recollected with deep emotion the days when he was received by Kim Jong Il on his visit to China in May, saying he could never forget the time when he met the leader and had cordial talks several times.

He said though Kim Jong Il passed away, he could never forget the tender-hearted leader.

He expressed belief the Korean people would convert sorrow into strength and register successes in all affairs under the leadership of Comrade Kim Jong Un, true to the behests of Kim Jong Il.

Liu Qi said that Kim Jong Il performed historic feats for the party, state and people of the DPRK and made great contributions to boosting the traditional China-DPRK friendly relations, adding that the Chinese people will always remember him.