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China visit sparks N Korea hopes China visit sparks N Korea hopes
(about 6 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. North Korea has indicated that it may once again be ready to talk about its nuclear programmes.
The importance of Mr Wen's visit was underlined when he was met on arrival on Sunday by leader Kim Jong-il. The message came during a meeting in Pyongyang between the prime minister, Kim Yong-il, and his visiting Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao.
Mr Wen then met Premier Kim Yong-il, who said Pyongyang had not abandoned denuclearisation and was open to "bilateral and multilateral dialogue". According to the Chinese news agency Xinhua, Mr Kim said his country was willing to have bilateral and multi-lateral talks on the issue.
But there was no solid commitment to rejoin the multilateral talks. But there was no solid commitment to rejoin stalled six-party negotiations.
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 these 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.
But in recent weeks it has issued more conciliatory statements, suggesting it could resume negotiations.
Warm welcomeWarm welcome
Wen Jiabao is currently spending his second day in North Korea - part of a three-day trip that China says is to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Regional neighbours hope the visit will also 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.
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. Mr Wen is being accompanied on his visit by China's foreign minister.
Mr Wen is being accompanied on his visit by China's foreign minister and Beijing's delegate to the six-party talks. China is North Korea's biggest trading partner and is the country which 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.