DPRK premier arrives in Beijing after Shandong tour

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-18 18:29

BEIJING - Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Il arrived in Beijing Wednesday afternoon after traveling to Shandong Province as part of his 5-day official goodwill visit to China.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) and Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Il inspect an honour guard during an official welcome ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 18, 2009. [Agencies] More photos

During the first leg of his visit, Kim met with local provincial officials Tuesday in Jinan, capital of Shandong. He said the traditional bilateral friendship nurtured by leaders of older generations had witnessed sound development over the years.

Kim also toured two of Shandong's tourist attractions, the Taishan Mountain in Tai'an and the Confucius Temple in Qufu Wednesday morning.

The Taishan Mountain is one of China's most famous mountains and was listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987. The Confucius Temple, together with the Family Mansion and Cemetery of Confucius, was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1994.

"President Kim Il Sung had visited the Taishan Mountain and the people of DPRK are very familiar with it," said Kim. "This visit has made my year-long dream come true."

"My visit to Shandong makes me know more about the culture and history of China," Kim added.

Kim kicked off his first visit to China since he assumed office in April 2007 at the invitation of Chinese premier Wen Jiabao Tuesday.

Kim is scheduled to meet and hold talks with Chinese state leaders, attend a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the China-DPRK diplomatic relationship and the opening event for the China-DPRK Friendship Year in Beijing.