President Jiang Zemin Meets with DPRK LeadersTop Chinese leader Jiang Zemin said Tuesday that he believes the friendly and cooperative relationship between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will be further promoted with the joint efforts of both parties, countries and peoples.Jiang, general-secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, made the remarks Tuesday morning during his meeting with Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, and Premier Hong Song Nam. Jiang said to keep consolidating and developing the traditional ties of friendship, which were initiated and cultivated by both countries' revolutionaries of the older generation, is conducive to the construction and development of both countries and the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula, Asia and the world at large. Jiang said it is the consistent guideline of the CPC and the Chinese government to continuously consolidate and develop friendly relationship with the DPRK. He hoped that the two parliaments and governments will keep enhancing their friendly contacts to make new contributions to the further development of the friendship. Referring to China's policies on the Korean peninsula issue, Jiang noted that the CPC and the Chinese government will, as always, support more dialogues and improvement of relations between the two sides so as to realize an independent and peaceful reunification. China will also support all rational proposals to this end made by the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government, added Jiang. He stated that China, as a neighbor to the peninsula, is always concerned with the development of the peninsula's situation and commits itself to peace and stability there. He pointed to the new phase between the North and the South as a result of the first talks in June last year between the leaders of the two sides since they were separated. It is in the common aspiration of the people of both sides and the fundamental interest of all peoples in the region, stressed Jiang, adding that it is also conducive to peace and stability of the peninsula, the region and the world at large. He said China will continue adhering to its independent foreign policy of peace in the new century to create a favorable international environment for China's revitalization and to make efforts for world peace, development and progress. During the meeting, Jiang also recalled Kim's and Hong's visits to China in 1999 and expressed his appreciation for their contributions to the development of bilateral ties. Jiang said during this visit, he has witnessed the DPRK people, under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government headed by Kim Jong Il, have overcome difficulties and opened a new phase in both domestic work and foreign relations by relying on themselves and working hard while facing up to the complicated and volatile international situations and consecutive natural disasters. He said he believes that the Korean people will score new and greater achievements in building socialism with Korean characteristics. Jiang reviewed the warm reception he received from DPRK leaders and people during the visit and his "very good" talks with Kim Jong Il on Monday, saying that they exchanged in-depth views on the relations between the two parties and the two countries and international and regional issues of common concern, and reached a wide-ranging consensus. Kim and Hong extended their welcome to Jiang, who is making the visit before the 53rd anniversary of the founding of the DPRK. Kim said that Jiang's visit will definitely push forward the development of the traditional friendship between two countries and the DPRK highly values this important visit. He voiced his belief that by following the consensus reached between the top leaders of the two countries, the bilateral relations are bound to witness a better development and the traditional ties of friendship will be passed on from generation to generation. Hong briefed Jiang on the DPRK's domestic economic situation and expressed full confidence in overcoming difficulties and building a strong and prosperous socialist country. Hong also expressed his appreciation for China's assistance for the DPRK in the past years. After the meeting, Jiang visited the Grand People's Study House, the country's national library. |
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