China vows stronger alliance with N. Korea

(ATTN: ADDS KCNA report, details in paras 4,6; CORRECTS year in 2nd para)
By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, Oct. 5 (Yonhap) -- China vowed Monday to strengthen its alliance with
North Korea, official news reports said, as the Chinese premier continued his
visit to Pyongyang to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the two nations forming
diplomatic ties.

In a congratulatory message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, Chinese President
Hu Jintao praised the establishment of China-DPRK relations on Oct. 6, 1949 as
"epoch-making" and said his country will "further promote the good neighborly,
friendly and cooperative relations." DPRK stands for the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea, the North's official name.
Hu's message, also signed by China's top legislator, Wu Bangguo, and Premier Wen
Jiabao, was carried by the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and China's
Xinhua News Agency.
Kim and other top officials -- including Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium
of the Supreme People's Assembly, and Premier Kim Yong-il -- also sent a joint
message to their Chinese counterparts, pledging to "strengthen and develop the
DPRK-China friendship generation after generation," the KCNA said.
China fought on the North Korean side during the 1950-53 Korean War against South
Korea and the U.S.-led U.N. forces and still remains the biggest donor to the
impoverished country.
But questions arose about the state of their alliance after China backed U.N.
resolutions condemning the North's long-range rocket and nuclear tests earlier
this year.
Kim made a rare appearance at Pyongyang's airport to greet Wen on Sunday, a
protocol usually reserved for heads of state. They are highly anticipated to hold
official talks as early as Monday, as outside attention was focused on whether
Kim would move forward to restart negotiations over Pyongyang's nuclear program.
The two countries signed a series of accords ranging from economic assistance and
cooperation in technology, education and tourism. Wen is on a three-day visit.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)