Kim Jong-il, general secretary of the Worker's Party of Korea and Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, sent a congratulatory message on March 15 to Hu Jintao to congratulate him on re-election as president of the People's Republic of China and chairman of the PRC Central Military Commission.

The message said: " I extend warm congratulations to you on your re-election as president of the People's Republic of China and chairman of the PRC Central Military Commission at the first session of the 11th National People's Congress.

"Your assumption of the heavy responsibility of the state is a show of great respect and trust of the Chinese people and soldiers for you.

"I am convinced that the Chinese people would make fresh achievements in the efforts to implement the tasks set forth at the first session of the 11th National People's Congress under the guidance of the Communist Party of China.

"It is the consistent stand of the Korean Party and government to value and continuously develop relations of friendship between the DPRK and China.

"Hoping that traditional friendly ties between the two countries will further flourish by the concerted efforts of the two sides, I sincerely wish you great success in your repsonsible work."

The Pyongyang Times,March 22,2008