Beijing on Tuesday officially denied rumors of an impending China visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters the country has no plans to receive the North Korean leader ¡°at this time.¡±
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-il waves out of a window of his special armored train at the Russian border railway station of Khasan on Aug. 20, 2002./AP-Yonhap
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A diplomatic source in China said the language Qin used suggests that if a visit is going to happen, it will not be soon. Previous questions on the issue have been met with, "We have heard no news," or "I have no authority to comment." Some Seoul media reported that Kim's special armored train already sat panting in the border town of Shinuiju, and one reported the reclusive leader had crossed into China early Tuesday morning.
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A picture of a train taken in China¡¯s Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province by Japan¡¯s NHK amid rumors that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is on his way to Beijing.
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Meanwhile, Qin said it had not been decided when Liu Xiaoming, who was recently appointed China's ambassador to North Korea, will take up his post. A number of diplomatic sources have said that when he does travel to Pyongyang, he may carry a letter from President Hu Jintao inviting Kim to China. Ties between the two allies have been strained since China signed on to a UN Security Council resolution condemning the North¡¯s missile tests.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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