China’s Xinhua News Agency says North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has reiterated his country’s continuous commitment to establishing a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

According to the news agency Tuesday, Kim did so when he met with Wang Jiarui, head of the international department of China’s Communist Party, in Pyongyang on Monday.

The report added that Kim told Wang that sincerity on behalf of the parties seeking to restart the six-way nuclear talks is an important factor when it comes to the possible resumption of the multilateral dialogue.

The news agency also said Wang conveyed to Kim a verbal message from Chinese President Hu Jintao that included an invitation for Kim to visit China.

The report said Kim expressed appreciation for Hu’s message but did not show a definitive response to the invitation.