ID :
183980
Tue, 05/24/2011 - 07:39
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/183980
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N. Korean leader arrives in Nanjing from Yangzhou
BEIJING/YANGZHOU/SHANGHAI (Yonhap) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-il arrived in the eastern city of Nanjing from Yangzhou on Tuesday, the fifth day of his trip to China apparently aimed at studying economic development and securing additional economic aid.
Kim traveled to Nanjing in a convoy of some 40 cars with an armed police escort after departing from a state guest house in Yangzhou where he was believed to have stayed since his arrival Sunday.
The 69-year-old leader checked into a guest house in Nanjing, west of Shanghai.
Kim's special train also left for Nanjing from Yangzhou's railway station where it had been on standby.
It was not immediately clear whether Kim will stay in Nanjing or visit Shanghai as details of his itinerary have yet to be confirmed.
Kim last visited Shanghai in 2001 and marveled at its economic development, a trip that apparently led to Pyongyang's move to tinker with limited reforms a year later.
The North, however, later rolled back its fledging reform movement and its economy is still mired in dire straits as it seeks outside aid to help feed its people.
Robert King, the U.S. envoy for North Korean human rights, was to arrive in North Korea on Tuesday to survey the North's food situation, a possible indication for the resumption of food aid to the North.
Kim reached this eastern Chinese region by his special train on Sunday after crossing the border Friday.
On Monday, Kim reportedly dined with former Chinese President Jiang Zemin at the guest house and the two enjoyed an art performance, sources said.
State Councilor Dai Bingguo was seen at the dinner with Kim and Jiang, they said.
Kim also toured an IT company in the city's industrial complex and a large discount store near his guest house.
Kim has made his third trip to China, the North's last remaining ally and benefactor, in just over a year at Beijing's invitation to learn about China's economic reforms to help revive the North's economy.
The reform lifted millions of Chinese out of poverty and helped Beijing's rise to the world's second-largest economy, but it was not clear if and when Kim will follow in China's footsteps.
Kim traveled to Nanjing in a convoy of some 40 cars with an armed police escort after departing from a state guest house in Yangzhou where he was believed to have stayed since his arrival Sunday.
The 69-year-old leader checked into a guest house in Nanjing, west of Shanghai.
Kim's special train also left for Nanjing from Yangzhou's railway station where it had been on standby.
It was not immediately clear whether Kim will stay in Nanjing or visit Shanghai as details of his itinerary have yet to be confirmed.
Kim last visited Shanghai in 2001 and marveled at its economic development, a trip that apparently led to Pyongyang's move to tinker with limited reforms a year later.
The North, however, later rolled back its fledging reform movement and its economy is still mired in dire straits as it seeks outside aid to help feed its people.
Robert King, the U.S. envoy for North Korean human rights, was to arrive in North Korea on Tuesday to survey the North's food situation, a possible indication for the resumption of food aid to the North.
Kim reached this eastern Chinese region by his special train on Sunday after crossing the border Friday.
On Monday, Kim reportedly dined with former Chinese President Jiang Zemin at the guest house and the two enjoyed an art performance, sources said.
State Councilor Dai Bingguo was seen at the dinner with Kim and Jiang, they said.
Kim also toured an IT company in the city's industrial complex and a large discount store near his guest house.
Kim has made his third trip to China, the North's last remaining ally and benefactor, in just over a year at Beijing's invitation to learn about China's economic reforms to help revive the North's economy.
The reform lifted millions of Chinese out of poverty and helped Beijing's rise to the world's second-largest economy, but it was not clear if and when Kim will follow in China's footsteps.
