Kim Jong Il, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), said that the DPRK is ready to enhance the exchanges and cooperation with China, so as to explore a development path in line with his country's situation.

Kim concluded his unofficial visit to China on Wednesday following his tour in China's central and southern provinces of Hubei and Guangdong.

During his tour in the cities of Wuhan, Yichang, Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Shenzhen, Kim, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, visited with great interest about a dozen enterprises and institutes in the fields of industry, agriculture, science and technology, and education.

Kim, also chairman of the DPRK's National Defense Commission, said that the achievements in China, especially in Guangdong, as a result of the reform and opening-up policy, have fully demonstrated the vitality and potential of China's economic development.

Kim said he was greatly impressed and benefited quite a lot through the visit, noting that China's comprehensive national strength has been growing, and the social outlook has been changing day by day.

He said he had a more comprehensive understanding of China, and understood better the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese government's policies of emancipating the mind, valuing talented people, making independent creation, and promoting the comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable social and economic development.

China has been following a path featuring its own characteristics, Kim said. The DPRK also attaches great attention to economic expansion and is ready to further enhance the exchanges and cooperation with China, so as to explore a development path in line with the DPRK' national situation.

Kim paid an unofficial visit to China from Jan. 10 to 18 at the invitation of Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese president. Kim also held talks in Beijing with Hu and met with other Chinese officials.

Source: Xinhua