A Chinese media report says North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has expressed hopes to resolve issues related to the Korean Peninsula and the North Korean nuclear program through bilateral and multilateral talks.

China’s state-run Xinhua News reported that Kim met with Chinese President Hu Jintao‘s special envoy Dai Bingguo on Friday in Pyongyang.

Kim reportedly told State Councilor Dai that North Korea will continue efforts to realize the denuclearization goal.

In a letter Dai delivered to Kim on behalf of Hu, the Chinese president said Beijing will continue to work to realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and to safeguard peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

Hu added that he plans to work hand in hand with Pyongyang to that end.