This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8289952.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| China visit sparks N Korea hopes | China visit sparks N Korea hopes |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is spending a second day in North Korea in a visit regional neighbours hope will help restart stalled nuclear talks. | Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is spending a second day in North Korea in a visit regional neighbours hope will help restart stalled nuclear talks. |
| The importance of Mr Wen's visit was underlined when he was met on arrival on Sunday by leader Kim Jong-il. | The importance of Mr Wen's visit was underlined when he was met on arrival on Sunday by leader Kim Jong-il. |
| Mr Wen then met Premier Kim Yong-il, who said Pyongyang had not abandoned denuclearisation and was open to "bilateral and multilateral dialogue". | |
| But there was no solid commitment to rejoin the multilateral talks. | But there was no solid commitment to rejoin the multilateral talks. |
| China says Mr Wen's three-day visit is to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, but it is being keenly watched for progress on the nuclear issue. | China says Mr Wen's three-day visit is to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, but it is being keenly watched for progress on the nuclear issue. |
| North Korea withdrew from six-party talks - which also involve China, the US, Japan, Russia and South Korea - in April and conducted its second nuclear test in May, raising regional tensions. | North Korea withdrew from six-party talks - which also involve China, the US, Japan, Russia and South Korea - in April and conducted its second nuclear test in May, raising regional tensions. |
| But in recent weeks it has issued more conciliatory statements, suggesting it could resume negotiations. | But in recent weeks it has issued more conciliatory statements, suggesting it could resume negotiations. |
| Warm welcome | Warm welcome |
| On Sunday the two countries signed a series of co-operation deals, Chinese state media reported. | On Sunday the two countries signed a series of co-operation deals, Chinese state media reported. |
| Top leader Kim Jong-Il later accompanied Mr Wen to a Korean opera, Xinhua news agency said, where the two held "friendly talks". | Top leader Kim Jong-Il later accompanied Mr Wen to a Korean opera, Xinhua news agency said, where the two held "friendly talks". |
| More discussions between the two are expected on Monday, media reports suggest. | More discussions between the two are expected on Monday, media reports suggest. |
| Mr Wen is being accompanied on his visit by China's foreign minister and Beijing's delegate to the six-party talks. | Mr Wen is being accompanied on his visit by China's foreign minister and Beijing's delegate to the six-party talks. |
| China hosts the six-party talks, is North Korea's biggest trading partner and holds the greatest sway over the communist regime. | China hosts the six-party talks, is North Korea's biggest trading partner and holds the greatest sway over the communist regime. |