A North Korean state news agency is reporting that Chinese President Hu Jintao wants to strengthen ties between the two communist countries, AP reported. The North's Korean Central News Agency says Hu made the remarks Thursday to the North's No. 2 leader, Kim Yong Nam, who traveled to Beijing to attend the Olympics opening ceremony. The agency quotes Hu as stressing that the Chinese government has long wanted to maintain and bolster friendly ties. KCNA said Friday that Hu also thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and his people for helping China's recovery from recent natural disasters. In May, North Korea offered China US$100,000 to help earthquake survivors. China is North Korea's major ally and main aid donor.
