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BEIJING - North Korean leader Kim Jong-il met with Chinese President and Communist Party chief Hu Jintao in Beijing on Monday.
Kim and Hu reaffirmed their traditionally friendly relations and harmonized opinions concerning reforms and opening the Northern market to boost the North Korean economy and solutions for the North Korean nuclear issue, Chinese source said. China also agreed to give energy and food aid to North Korea, and confirmed the North¡¯s determination to settle nuclear issues peacefully at the six-party talks, the source said.
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Vehicles that seem to be in the party of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who is visiting China, go into the Diaoyutai State Guest House where the summit conferences are scheduled on Monday.
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Kim reportedly explained the reasons behind the nuclear weapons to Hu and added that North Korea is willing to give up nuclear developments if the United States changes its hostile attitude. It was reported that Hu briefed Kim about Cheney¡¯s visit to China from April 13 to 14, and emphasized the importance of maintaining talks with the United States for nuclear weapon settlements. Kim met with Chinese high officials at a dinner reception held at the government conference hall situated west of Tiananmen Square.
Kim is to continue talks with the Chinese leadership Tuesday when he meets with Premier Wen Jiabao and other high officials. It is customary for Kim to meet with military chief Jiang Zemin, National People¡¯s Congress chairman Wu Bangguo and Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong before leaving Beijing.
Kim arrived in Beijing on Monday morning and stayed at the Diaoyutai State Guest House. Kim, who is to return to North Korea on Wednesday, could possibly stop by Dalian and other north eastern cities to take a look at its economic development conditions, sources said. Relating to the Sinuiju special development plan, Kim reportedly asked for support from the Chinese government. Kim, sources said, could also visit Shenyang and listen to field managers¡¯ experiences like he did when he visited China in 2001.
(Yeo Si-dong, sdyeo@chosun.com )
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