Editor’s note: Comrade Kim Jong Il, the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army, passed away on December 17, 2011. The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the China-DPRK Friendship Association sent a message of condolence to the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries of DPRK and the Central Committee of the DPRK-China Friendship Association to express deep mourning over his death. The full text is as follows:
　　
　　December 19, 2011
　　
　　The Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries of DPRK
　　The Central Committee of the DPRK-China Friendship Association
　　
　　 Shocked to learn of the passing away of Kim Jong Il, the supreme leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on December 17, we felt deep grief. The CPAFFC and the China-DPRK Friendship Association express the deepest condolences to your organizations and through you to the people of the DPRK.
　　 Comrade Kim Jong Il was a great leader of the Korean people and a close friend of the Chinese people. He had visited China many times, exchanging views on issues of common concern with the Chinese leaders, and made outstanding contributions to consolidating and developing the traditional China-DPRK friendship forged and cultivated by Chairman Mao Zedong and President Kim Il Sung. The Korean people have lost a great leader and the Chinese people a close friend. We will always remember him.
　　 We are confident that the courageous Korean people will turn grief into strength, carry on the behests of Comrade Kim Jong Il and make continuous achievements in the struggle to build a strong and prosperous socialist country.
　　
　　The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries
　　The China-DPRK Friendship Association