General Secretary Kim Jong Il made a 3,200 odd km-long trip to a vast area of China in May and visited it again in August.

The party, government and people of China received Kim Jong Il as the world political elder and the most distinguished state guest as he provided a new landmark of the DPRK-China friendship and infused tremendous energy into the bilateral relations.

President Hu Jintao traveled as far as Changchun and cordially greeted Kim Jong Il and hosted a banquet in his honor. Hu paid high tribute to Kim Jong Il for having devoted himself to boosting the bilateral friendly ties, accompanying him during his visit and enjoyment of art performance.

During his visit to China all the members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Communist Party of China attended the events that took place during his visit, showing the firm stand of the party and government of China to boost the traditional DPRK-China friendship.

Every gift he received in Liaoning Province, Tianjin and Shenyang cities, etc. reflected the profound respect of the Chinese people for him.

He received congratulatory messages from Hu on the successful Conference of the Workers' Party of Korea and the 65th anniversary of the WPK. The Chinese party and government sent high-level delegations to the DPRK on significant occasions, positively supporting the just cause of the WPK and the Korean people.

DPRK book, photo and handicraft exhibitions, the 4th Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia Show, round-table talks marking the 60th anniversary of the entry of the Chinese People's Volunteers into the Korean front, an academic meeting were held amid keen interest of people of all circles of China.

Chinese creators and artistes produced TV serial drama "Mao Anying" which deals with the life of Mao Anying who dedicated his youth to the fight on the Korean front.

A particular mention should be made of the fact that an ordinary Chinese citizen rescued three Korean girls in the waters off Rason city. This beautiful deed reminded the Koreans of the martyr of the Chinese People's Volunteers, hero of the legend about the River Piryu during the Fatherland Liberation War.

The DPRK-China friendship fully blossomed all the year round under the deep care of the top leaders of the two countries, the two parties and governments and thanks to the sincere feelings of the two peoples. This friendship will last forever along with the blue water of the River Amnok.