PYONGYANG, March 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Kim Jong-il, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Sunday sent a congratulatory message to Hu Jintao, president of China, on his election as chairman of the Central Military Commission of China.

    "I extend warm congratulations to you on your election as chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China (PRC) at the 3rd session of the 10th National People's Congress of the PRC. Your election as chairman of the Central Military Commission of the PRC is an expression of the deep trust and belief of the Chinese Party, army and people in you," the message said.

    "I'm convinced that the powerful revolutionary armed forces of the Chinese people will discharge their glorious mission in accelerating socialist modernization and accomplishing the cause of the prosperity and unification of the Chinese nation under the leadership of the CPC headed by you," it added.

    "Availing myself of this opportunity, I sincerely wish you a fresh success in your responsible work, believing that the traditional Korea-China friendship will continue to develop thanks to joint efforts of the two parties, armies and peoples," the message said.

    Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China, succeeded former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin and was elected chairman of the Central Military Commission at the 3rd session of the 10th National People's Congress in Beijing on March 13. Enditem