The Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Yong Il, has arrived in Beijing for a 5-day visit to China.

Visiting Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Il (FRONT) arrives in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, March 17, 2009. Kim kicked off his official goodwill visit to China Tuesday. [Zhu Zheng/Xinhua]

The DPRK ministers of metal industry, agriculture, foreign trade and culture are travelling with him.

During his visit, Kim will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. He will also attend the opening ceremony of the "Year of DPRK-China Friendship."

2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic ties between the two countries. Before leaving his country, Kim said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency that he hopes his visit will further consolidate DPRK-China bilateral ties.

(CCTV March 18, 2009)