China's top leader Jiang Zemin and DPRK leader Kim Jong Il talked Monday in Pyongyang and reached a wide-reaching consensus on furthering bilateral ties and on major international and regional issues of common concern.

Jiang Zemin, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Chinese president, reiterated China's firm commitment to safeguarding and promoting peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, and its support to efforts by the two sides on the peninsula to promote North-South dialogue to improve bilateral ties, ease tensions and achieve peaceful reunification.

Jiang also expressed China's support for the DPRK's efforts to improve its relations with the United States, Japan, the European Union and to eventually normalize relations with all these countries or group of countries.

Kim Jong Il, general-secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (

WPK) Central Committee and chairman of the National Defense Commission, said that closer friendship and cooperation in various fields between DPRK and China is not only in the interests of the two countries, but also contributes to peace and development in Asia and the world at large.

It is the consistent position of the DPRK party and government to value and carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries, he said, adding that Jiang's current visit is of great significance to furthering this traditional friendship.

On his part, Jiang expressed satisfaction with the positive efforts and results by the two sides on the peninsula to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two sides during their talks in Beijing in May last year.

He said that despite drastic changes in international situations and domestic conditions of the two countries over the past decade, traditional friendship initiated and cultivated by leaders of the older generation of the two countries remains unchanged and have experienced further development in the new situations.

The Chinese leader said that it is a firm guideline of the Chinese Communist Party and the government to consolidate and develop the traditional China-DPRK ties of friendship and cooperation initiated and promoted by the old-generation leaders of the two countries.

He pledged China's concerted efforts in the new century with the DPRK party, government and people, to elevate bilateral ties to a new high in the spirit of carrying on the good tradition, looking forward to the future and promoting bilateral ties of good neighborliness and friendly cooperation.

Jiang noted that Kim's two recent visits to China, one in May last year and the other in January this year, further enhanced mutual understandings, trust and friendship between the two parties, countries and peoples, and contributed to bilateral exchange and cooperation in various fields. He expressed the belief that his current visit to the DPRK will make new contributions to the friendship in the new century.

The two leaders also briefed each other on the domestic situation of their countries.

Jiang spoke highly of the Korean people's achievements in overcoming various difficulties, and building a strong and prosperous country, and promoting foreign relations and the cause of the country's independent and peaceful reunification.

Kim noted that the Chinese people, under the leadership of the CPC headed by Jiang, have scored great achievements in their modernization drive and in boosting China's relations with other countries and promoting reunification of the country.

During the talks, the Chinese side promised to provide the DPRK with assistance, including grains and other materials. Kim expressed appreciation for China's aid.

Before the talks, Jiang visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace and paid respects to the remains of late leader Kim Il Sung.

(People's Daily 09/04/2001)