On July 3, 2007, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea Kim Jong Il met in Pyongyang with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who is on an official visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

During the meeting, Yang conveyed to Kim a message and greetings from Chinese President Hu Jintao. Yang spoke highly of the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK, saying bilateral cooperation has maintained sound momentum for development with the care of the two countries' top leaders and joint efforts of both sides. China is ready to work with the DPRK to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and continue to push for friendly cooperation in all areas for the benefit of both countries and their peoples.

Kim thanked for Hu's greetings and message and asked Yang to convey his greetings to President Hu. Kim said the traditional friendship between DPRK and China has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples and is a valuable legacy from leaders of previous generations. He urged both sides to educate future generations with the spirit of China-DPRK friendship to further the traditional relations between the two peoples in the new century and promote bilateral ties.

Both sides discussed the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. Yang called for the "full implementation" of the September 19 Joint Statement and February 13 Joint Document. He expressed hope that all parties concerned will "continue to take positive steps, fulfill their commitments and take initial actions in a comprehensive and balanced manner so as to push forward the six-party talks."

Kim said there have been some "signs of easing" on the peninsula and all parties concerned should take initial actions. China has worked hard to resolve the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and the DPRK hopes to continue to communicate and coordinate with China on the issue, he said.

On the same day, Yang met with DPRK Premier Kim Yong Il. Yang said to expand friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries is of great realistic significance, expressing China's willingness to work with the DPRK to implement the consensus reached by their leaders and enrich the contents of bilateral relationship, so as to make it bear more fruits. Yang pointed out that economic cooperation is an important part of China's relations with the DPRK. China will make joint efforts with DPRK to conduct pragmatic cooperation in the fields of agriculture, light industry, mineral resources, information industry and technology based on the principles of "guidance by the government, people's participation and market operation" and in the spirit of mutual benefits and common development, he said.

Kim said the DPRK values the traditional friendship with China and is willing to work with China to consolidate and develop the traditional friendly cooperative ties between the two peoples. He added that the DPRK will view trade ties with China from a strategic perspective and hopes to boost investment and trade ties on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

On the morning of the same day, Yang also held talks with his DPRK counterpart Pak Ui Chun. Both sides made positive comments on bilateral ties and reached agreement on strengthening bilateral cooperation. They agreed to enhance dialogue and consultations between the two Foreign Ministries and exchange views in a timely manner on bilateral ties and international and regional issues of common concern. They pledged to strengthen economic and trade cooperation of mutual benefits by further tapping potential, enhance exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, education and tourism and join hands to implement the February 13 Joint Document to advance the process of the six-party talks.

Prior to the talks, Yang also laid a wreath at the Korea-China Friendship Tower.

Yang arrived in the DPRK on July 2 for a visit.