Hu hailed the North’s efforts to achieve its unique style of socialism and peaceful autonomous unification, and expressed confidence that the country will go on to greater accomplishments. He said it was in the mutual interest of China’s and North Korea’s ruling parties and people to cherish the traditional friendship between the two countries and cultivate and develop it to help maintain peace and security in the region.

Hu earlier sent a verbal message to Kim Jong-il by way of Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi, who is attending the anniversary celebrations in Pyongyang, to mark the opening of a joint Chinese-North Korean glass works.

(englishnews@chosun.com )