Kim Jong Il, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), sent a congratulatory message Monday to Chinese President Hu Jintao for becoming the chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Sunday.

In his message, Kim, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission, said Hu's new status as China's military leader showed the trust of the CPC, the Chinese armed forces and the Chinese people in Hu.

Kim expressed his conviction that the Chinese armed forces, which enjoy long traditions and have gone through glories and victories, will surely fulfill their divine mission of safeguarding national dignity and achieving the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The DPRK leader also expressed confidence that the traditional friendship between the DPRK and People's Republic of China will enjoy sustained development with joint efforts of both sides.

Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and president of China, succeeded Jiang Zemin as chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission at the Fourth Plenum of the 16th CPC Central Committee, which concluded here Sunday.