A senior North Korean official has met with China’s President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.

Vice Chairman Jang Sung-taek of North Korea’s National Defense Commission met Hu at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday.

At the meeting, Hu conveyed condolences to the recent flood victims in the North on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, adding North Korea could overcome the crisis under the leadership of Kim Jong-un.

Afterwards, Jang visited Zhongnanhai in central Beijing and held a separate meeting with Wen.

Diplomats in Beijing view that Jang and the Chinese leaders discussed ways to expedite their joint development projects for the Hwanggeumpyeong Island and Wihwa Island as well as the Rason Economic and Trade Zone. The two sides are also believed to have exchanged views on the North’s economic reform plans, which were announced on June 28th.