DPRK top leader meets visiting Chinese defense minister

PYONGYANG, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), met Liang Guanglie, Chinese Defense Minister, here on Wednesday.

Kim welcomed Liang, speaking highly of the DPRK-China friendship.

He said the DPRK-China friendship, a treasure inherited from the older generations of the leaders of the two counties, had stood the test of history and was unbreakable.

Kim Jong Il (R Front), top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of  Korea (DPRK), meets with Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie (L2 Front) in Pyongyang, capital of the DPRK, on Nov. 25, 2009. (Xinhua/Zhang Binyang)

The two counties celebrated a Friendship Year this year, Kim said, extending the hope of continuing to work to strengthen the bilateral ties comprehensively.

He said relations between the two armies was an important part of the relations between the two countries and the two sides should continue to boost exchange and cooperation in a bid to consolidate and develop DPRK-China friendship.

Kim spoke highly of the achievements the Chinese people and army had made, and hoped the country would continue to grow in all areas.

He also asked Liang to convey his greetings and good wishes to Chinese president Hu Jintao and other Chinese leaders.

Liang extended his thanks for Kim's meeting and conveyed Hu and other Chinese leaders' greetings to him.