Hu said in a message that Kim's re-election on Thursday as chairman of the powerful National Defence Commission is an "expression of sincere support and profound trust", Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

"I believe that the fraternal Korean people will surely register steady fresh successes in the construction of Korean-style socialism... under the leadership... headed by you," Hu was quoted as saying.

"It is the consistent policy of the party and Government of China to consolidate and develop the Sino-DPRK (North Korea) good neighbourly relations of friendship and cooperation," he said.

Hu noted this year marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between the communist neighbours.

China remains the North's staunchest ally, keeping it afloat with economic aid and helping it diplomatically.

Last Sunday, North Korea fired a rocket over Japan in what Pyongyang called a satellite launch, while Washington, Tokyo and Seoul say it was really an illegal test of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Beijing has defended North Korea's right to peaceful use of space, refusing to allow a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning the launch.

Copyright AFP 2008, AFP stories and photos shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium