Chinese President Hu Jintao said here Monday that advancing friendship and cooperation between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will continue to be the guideline of the ruling party and government of China.

Hu made the remark as he met with a Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) delegation from the DPRK, headed by Kim Yong Il. Kim is an alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the WPK Central Committee. He is also the head of the international department of the WPK.

Hu expressed congratulations on behalf the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to Kim Jong Un on his election as the First Secretary of the WPK.

Hu said the success of the Fourth WPK Conference and the fifth session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly, at which Kim Jong Un was elected the supreme leader, will be remembered as a major event in the political life of the WPK and the DPRK people. He described it as significant for the future in construction of the DPRK's ruling party and nation.

The president expressed confidence that, under Kim Jong Un, the WPK and DPRK government will lead its people to blaze new trails and make new achievements in the cause of building a prosperous and strong country.

During the meeting, Hu said China-DPRK friendship was created and fostered by older generations of leaders and has become a common wealth of both countries. China will as always work with DPRK comrades to maintain high-level contact and exchanges between the political parties, promote practical cooperation and good-neighborly friendship and strengthen communication and coordination on major regional and international issues, according to Hu.

He added the two sides will make unremitting efforts to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, realize long-term security of Northeast Asia and promote common development.

According to Kim Yong Il, Kim Jong Un's election as First Secretary of the WPK and First Chairman of the National Defence Commission laid a solid foundation for the DPRK to carry through the unfulfilled will of late DPRK leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and advance the cause of revolution and construction.

Kim Yong Il said the DPRK is delighted to see China's achievements under the leadership of the CPC in implementing scientific development and building a harmonious society.

He added the tradition of friendship between the ruling parties and the two countries was cherished by past leaders. The DPRK side is delighted to see strengthening relations between the two countries.

Kim Yong Il said cooperation between the WPK and CPC followed the teachings of late Chairman Kim Il Sung and late General Secretary Kim Jong Il and it will remain the firm stance of the WPK. He said the DPRK will as always work hard to advance relations between the ruling parties and the two countries.

Li Yuanchao, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Organizational Department of the CPC Central Committee, also met with Kim Yong Il Monday afternoon.

Li hailed the friendship between China and the DPRK, pledging to enhance exchanges, cooperation and strategic communication between the two sides so as to further bilateral ties.

Kim Yong Il reaffirmed the DPRK's will to deepen exchange and cooperation with China in various fields.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2012)