A singer from Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) performs in front of a screen showing the White-Head Mountain during the rehearsal of a performance entitled "Ode to the Friendship" to mark the Year of China-DPRK Friendship in Beijing, March 17, 2009. DPRK Premier Kim Yong-il praised China as a regional bulwark before arriving for a visit on Tuesday. [Agencies]