People`s Daily: N.K. leader affirms ties with China

North Korean Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-Il has pledged to maintain close military and political relations with China, despite his effort to improve ties with the United States, the China`s People`s Daily reported Thursday.

In a meeting with visiting Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian in Pyongyang on Wednesday, Kim stressed that the relationship between the two nations is as firm as ever, saying that the relations between North Korea and China, and between the North Korean Worker¡¯s Party and the Chinese Communist Party should be further strengthened and that this solid bond needs to be demonstrated to the world, the Chinese paper disclosed.

Noting that the traditionally friendly relationship between the two countries would be further developed and that mutual exchanges and cooperation would be expanded, the North Korean leader was quoted as saying that he was greatly encouraged to see that Minister Chi and his entourage had paid a visit to the North for five days, marking the 50th anniversary of the Chinese People`s Army` entry into the 1950-1953 Korean War.