Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo met here with Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Worker's Party of Korea and chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Wu, member of the Political Bureau Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), spoke highly of Kim's visit, the fifth in the 21st century.

The 60 years of China-DPRK diplomatic relations has been a period that witnessed major changes in world situation, and the two peoples and the two countries have worked hard with joined hands over the 60 years, Wu said.

He said China-DPRK ties have stood tests and seen constant development in the 60 years.

The meetings of the two countries' leaders and their discussions of bilateral relations are of vital significance for the development of bilateral ties in the future, he said.

Wu said he believes that with joint efforts, the two countries will surely write a new chapter of bilateral relations in the next 60 years.

Kim agreed with Wu's remarks on bilateral ties.

The comprehensive development of DPRK-China relations conforms to the fundamental interests of the two parties, the two countries and the two peoples, and there are reasons, foundations and responsibilities for the two sides to enhance friendly exchanges, he said.

The Party and government of the DPRK will, as always, attach importance to and support deepening exchanges and cooperation between the two parliaments, he said.

Kim paid an unofficial visit to China from May 3 to 7 at the invitation of Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese president.