国内英语新闻:DPRK premier pledges closer ties with E China province

JINAN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Yong Il, has vowed closer cooperation with east China's Shandong Province.

    Kim arrived in Beijing Tuesday before traveling to Jinan, capital of Shandong, on his first China trip as premier. The visit, made at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, is scheduled to end March 21.

    In a meeting with Shandong officials, Kim said the traditional bilateral friendship nurtured by leaders of the elder generations had witnessed sound development over the years.

    Calling his China tour an important part of the China-DPRK Friendship Year, an annual bilateral exchange program, Kim said the DPRK is willing to further strengthen cooperation with Shandong in various areas including politics, economics and culture.

    Shandong's Communist Party chief, Jiang Yikang, told Kim the province hopes to use the opportunity of the China-DPRK Friendship Year to carry out substantial cooperation with the DPRK.

    Kim will conclude his visit to Shandong on Wednesday and return to Beijing for activities marking the 60th anniversary of the China-DPRK diplomatic ties.