Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Friday that he would have in-depth discussions with the Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Il soon in Beijing.

"DPRK is a friendly neighbor of China. China and the DPRK enjoy traditional friendship," Wen told a press conference after the National People's Congress closed its annual session.

"We will fully exchange our views on how to further bilateral friendship and cooperation and issues of common interests concerning regional and international affairs," Wen said.

Kim will visit China from March 17 to 21 at the invitation of Wen. This will be his first visit to China since assuming office in April 2007.

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2009)