Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng met with visiting Premier Pak Bong Ju of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the Jinjiang Small Hall on March 24. Pak was on his first official visit to China as DPRK premier.
On behalf of the Shanghai municipal government and the people, Han extended a warm welcome to the guests.

He said China and DPRK have maintained a long friendship and have developed a good relationship, and Han expressed the belief that the Premier's visit would further strengthen this relationship.

Han also provided an overview of Shanghai's recent achievements for the guests. He said the city has sustained a continuous, healthy and rapid economic development, and that local residents now have a better living standard.

Pak appreciated Shanghai's rapid development, and expressed the hope that the two parties would continue their cooperation and exchanges.

Other city leaders Hu Wei, Tang Dengjie and Song Yiqiao attended the meeting.

Pak, who began his tour in Beijing on March 22, arrived in Shanghai for a two-day visit on March 24. Before heading home, he will visit the northeastern city of Shenyang, in China's industrial belt.