China builds glass unit in N Korea

North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-il has visited the factory built with Chinese aid and praised Beijing's fraternal friendship, the state media reported.

The Tae-an Friendship Glass Factory, seen as a symbol of North Korea-China friendship, covers hundreds of thousands of square meters and has a big production capacity of float glass.

All the main production processes and auxiliary facilities are equipped with the latest technologies, Xinhua news agency reported.

Kim expressed satisfaction that the glass factory had been completed quickly due to efforts by builders of the two countries.

He said North Korean people feel grateful for Chinese people's fraternal friendship, and will cherish the great friendship.

The factory, situated on the bank of the Taedong River, was designed with a daily capacity of 300 tonnes of float glass.

The glass factory is scheduled to be opened during the upcoming high-level visit to Pyongyang by Chinese State Councillor Wu Yi. China is the closest ally of North Korea and Beijing is also the primary aid giver to the impoverished Stalinist state.