North Korean Prime Minister Choe Yong Rim held talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao Tuesday in Beijing.
The meeting occurred on the second day of Mr. Choe's five-day goodwill visit to China. Mr. Hu told his guest the visit will bring improved mutual understanding.
He also said he looks forward to closer cooperation with North Korea.
Mr. Choe's visit is expected to focus on economic issues. The isolated, impoverished regime has grown increasingly dependent on China for trade and economic assistance. The two countries recently agreed to establish development zones along their common border.
China also supports North Korea's bid for a resumption of six-nation talks on its nuclear programs. The nuclear envoys from North and South Korea met on the issue last week.