MAINTAINING FRIENDSHIP: Chinese President Hu Jintao greets North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, on August 27 (JU PENG)

China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) should enhance cooperation on various fronts, while maintaining close coordination on issues in the region, Chinese President Hu Jintao said during a meeting with visiting DPRK top leader Kim Jong Il on August 27.

At the meeting, which was held in Changchun, Jilin Province, Hu said China is willing to make joint efforts with the DPRK to advance friendly cooperation between the two countries.

At President Hu's invitation, Kim, General Secretary of the Worker's Party of Korea and Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission, paid an unofficial visit to China from August 26-30.

During their meeting, Hu suggested the two nations focus on the following areas:

- Maintaining high-level contact. Leaders of the two sides should continue to conduct regular exchanges in various forms.

- Advancing trade and economic cooperation. China is willing to expand trade and economic cooperation with the DPRK for win-win results based on the principles of government guidance with enterprises playing a major role, market orientation, and mutual benefits.

- Strengthening strategic communication. The two sides should communicate, promptly and thoroughly, on major issues so as to safeguard regional peace and stability and to promote common development.

Kim said he agreed with Hu's proposals on strengthening bilateral relations. The two nations should enhance cooperation in various fields, among various sectors and between the provinces along their border. Young people of the two nations should also strengthen exchanges while learning from each other, so as to perpetuate their traditional friendship, he said.

The two leaders also discussed their countries' domestic situations and plans for social development. China has focused on economic development and modernization to improve people's lives since it adopted its reform and opening-up policy more than three decades ago, Hu said.

Economic development calls for both self-reliance and cooperation with the outside world. China respects and supports the DPRK's efforts to maintain stability, develop its economy and improve people's livelihoods, he said.

During his visit, Kim visited machinery manufacturing, railway transportation, chemical industry and food processing enterprises as well as some agricultural projects in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces.

He said Jilin was a place where he once lived, and he was greatly impressed to see its great changes and development. The DPRK will strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China's northeastern provinces and learn from China's experience.

The two leaders also agreed to work toward an early resumption of the stalled six-party talks. Kim said the DPRK's stance on the denuclearization

of the Korean Peninsula remains unchanged.

The six-party talks, involving the DPRK, the Republic of Korea, the United States, China, Russia and Japan, were launched in 2003 to address the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. The talks stalemated in April 2009 when Pyongyang withdrew in protest of the UN Security Council's condemnation of its alleged satellite launch.

China supports the DPRK's efforts to ease tension on the Korean Peninsula and improve its external environment. Maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula would be significant to the region and the world at large, Hu said.

News Flash

U.S. Sanctions

The U.S. Treasury Department said on August 31 that it would impose new sanctions on the DPRK. The new sanctions concern four individuals and eight entities.

The department said three individuals and five entities were designated as supporting the DPRK's nuclear program, while the rest were involved in "facilitating the DPRK's trafficking in arms and related material, procurement of luxury goods, and engagement in illicit activities."

The individuals and entities include the DPRK's Reconnaissance General Bureau, its commander, and Office 39 of the Korean Workers' Party.

Source: Xinhua News Agency