The leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong-Il yesterday spoke with visiting Chinese presidential envoy Tang Jiaxuan on Sino-DPRK relations and issues related to the six-party talks in Pyongyang.
Tang conveyed a message from President Hu Jintao, which stated the Chinese Communist Party and government highly respect the long-standing friendship between China and North Korea. China is also ready to make joint efforts with North Korea to further boost relations.
On the forthcoming fourth round of six-party talks slated for late this month, Hu's statement expressed hope the talks would achieve substantial progress on the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula. Kim said the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is North Korea's goal. He hoped the talks could become an important platform for the realization of this objective.
"The DPRK expects the next round of talks to be held on time and make positive progress," Kim said.
Kim expressed his appreciation of China's unremitting efforts toward the resumption of the six-party talks. Tang said the central government's stance has not changed.
He said China insists on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, maintaining permanent peace and stability in the region, and seeking a peaceful solution through dialogue.