2010-09-26 13:42

PYONGYANG - Kim Jong Il, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), has pledged to strengthen friendship with China, the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported on Sunday.

It is the firm stand of the ruling Workers' Party and people of the DPRK to strengthen the DPRK-China friendship, Kim said while inspecting the creation of opera "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai," based on a classical folk legend of China.

Kim said the precious DPRK-China friendship would be further consolidated and developed generation after generation.

He added that cultural exchanges play an important role in boosting friendship between the two peoples.

After watching the opera, Kim expressed great satisfaction over the creation and performance.

China's best known novel "A Dream of Red Chamber" has also been adapted into opera by the DPRK Phibada Opera Troupe and was staged in China from early May to July this year.