Extracts. Rodong Sinmun on Ever-Lasting DPRK-PRC Friendship Rodong Sinmun, organ of the Cenral Committee of Korean Workers Party, hails Kim Jong Il's successful visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC) in its Jan. 23 editorial. It says: Kim Jong Il's historic china visit offered a momentous opportunity of consolidating and developing the friendly DPRK-PRC relations and it will greatly contribute to ensuring peace and security in Asia and the world. His visit was successful thanks to the special care and cordial hospitality accorded to him by the central committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council of the PRC and President Jiang Zemin. At the talks, the leaders of the two parties and two countries informed each other of the situation in their countries and exchanged views on the issue of further developing the bilateral relations and on major international issues of common concern and reached a consensus of views on them. They agreed to make positive efforts to further consolidate and develop the long-standing traditional DPRK-PRC friendship and put the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries onto a higher level. The peoples of the two countries have long consolidated their friendship and solidarity despite ordeals and difficulties. It is invariable wishes of the two parties and the two peoples to see the friendship steadily growing strong in the 21st century, too, as in the last century. The two leaders at their meetings and talks reclarified their will to further consolidate the bilateral relations to bring about a bright future through the new century. The Chinese people are working hard to achieve stability and unity of the society and build socialism with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the CPC and China's international position is rising ever higher. We sincerely hope everything will go well in China. The steady growth of the DPRK-PRC friendship is conducive to pushing forward the revolution and construction in the two countries and achieving their prosperity and progress. **** Wen Wei Po Exposes Falun Gong Activities A signed article carried by the Hong Kong <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/HK.html> -based newspaper Wen Wei Po Tuesday called for vigilance against Falun Gong followers who are trying to make Hong Kong a base for their subversive activities. The article said that people of Hong Kong should be on the alert against the attempt of the Falun Gong cult to turn Hong Kong into a base of their activities. Under the principle of "One Country, Two Systems", the article noted, the Central Government decided to ban the Falun Gong cult - - a decision also welcomed by the whole community of Hong Kong. However, it warned, some Falun Gong followers work hard in Hong Kong attempting to make it their base of subversive activities. Pointing out that Falun Gong followers collaborate with overseas anti-China forces, the article said, they in reality seek to spread fallacies and disturb national stability and prosperity. In short, the article concluded that the Falun Gong cult can never succeed in its sinister attempt since cult activities are opposed by people everywhere. **** Nation Celebrates Year of Snake China ushered in the Year of Snake, the first Lunar New Year in the 21st Century, amidst celebrations and festivities across the nation. >From Beijing <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/beijing.html> to Shanghai <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/Shanghai.html> , from Guangzhou to Hohhot, from Lhasa to Urumqi, people across China are celebrating the most cherished traditional festival of family reunion and carnival, known as the Spring Festival, with varieties of activities and plentiful of food. The joyful moment reminds people of the remarkable achievements in all social sectors in 2000, the Year of Dragon. China has pulled most of its large state-owned enterprises out of the red; the overwhelming majority of poverty-stricken people had themselves adequately fed or clothed with the help of the central government and people from all walks of life; more people are driving private cars; an increasing number of youngsters are conveying festival greetings via the e-mail. Even the blizzard-hit residents in northern Inner Mongolia <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/mongolia.html> are taken good care of. As usual, most Chinese prefer watching TV programs presented by CCTV, China's central television, and many local TV stations. Some people are touring overseas; others are wining and dining at restaurants and hotels, while still others treated themselves to films at local cinemas. In Beijing, the national capital, bells were ringing to greet the New Year and several hundred people signed their names on a big streamer to support Beijing's bid for hosting the 2008 Olympic Games. Many Beijingers marked the holiday by donating to the blizzard-affected people in Inner Mongolia. The city has so far donated approximately 300,000 yuan and 20,000 pieces of clothes. Festivities apparently didn't delay business in China's leading commercial center Shanghai. A contract on railway projects was signed Tuesday between Shanghai and several famous foreign companies. People in Fuzhou, capital of east China's Fujian <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/fujian.html> Province, have shown a special liking for fresh flowers and books, which are seen as popular gifts instead of food and wine. Shanxi <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/shanxi.html> has witnessed the conclusion of a project to divert water from the Yellow River to its Fenhe Reservoir, which will substantially relieve the shortage of water in the north China province. In southwest China's Chengdu City, more flights have been added to satisfy the growing number of people who no longer like to stay in and want to travel to other provinces or abroad during the week-long holiday. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
