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Kim Jong-il 'backs' nuclear talks Kim Jong-il 'backs' nuclear talks
(30 minutes later)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is committed to ending the North's nuclear programme, Chinese state media says.North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is committed to ending the North's nuclear programme, Chinese state media says.
Mr Kim arrived in China on Monday, in a visit shrouded in secrecy. Mr Kim's secretive visit to Beijing was only confirmed once it was finished.
State news agency Xinhua said he had told Chinese President Hu Jintao he would work with China "to create favourable conditions" for talks. He told Chinese President Hu Jintao he would work with China "to create favourable conditions" for talks, state news agency Xinhua reported.
Six-party negotiations to dismantle the North's nuclear capability are hosted by China and involve the two Koreas, the US, Japan and Russia.Six-party negotiations to dismantle the North's nuclear capability are hosted by China and involve the two Koreas, the US, Japan and Russia.
North Korea quit the six-party talks in April 2009, after the UN imposed sanctions for a missile test by Pyongyang. The North carried out a second nuclear test a month later. North Korea quit the talks in April 2009, after the UN imposed sanctions for a missile test.
NUCLEAR CRISIS Oct 2006 - North Korea conducts an underground nuclear testFeb 2007 - North Korea agrees to close its main nuclear reactor in exchange for fuel aidJune 2007 - North Korea shuts its main Yongbyon reactorJune 2008 - North Korea makes its long-awaited declaration of nuclear assetsOct 2008 - The US removes North Korea from its list of countries which sponsor terrorismDec 2008 - Pyongyang slows work to dismantle its nuclear programme after a US decision to suspend energy aidJan 2009 - The North says it is scrapping all military and political deals with the South, accusing it of "hostile intent"April 2009 - Pyongyang launches a rocket carrying what it says is a communications satellite25 May 2009 - North Korea conducts a second nuclear test N Korea a problem for Obama Timeline: North KoreaNUCLEAR CRISIS Oct 2006 - North Korea conducts an underground nuclear testFeb 2007 - North Korea agrees to close its main nuclear reactor in exchange for fuel aidJune 2007 - North Korea shuts its main Yongbyon reactorJune 2008 - North Korea makes its long-awaited declaration of nuclear assetsOct 2008 - The US removes North Korea from its list of countries which sponsor terrorismDec 2008 - Pyongyang slows work to dismantle its nuclear programme after a US decision to suspend energy aidJan 2009 - The North says it is scrapping all military and political deals with the South, accusing it of "hostile intent"April 2009 - Pyongyang launches a rocket carrying what it says is a communications satellite25 May 2009 - North Korea conducts a second nuclear test N Korea a problem for Obama Timeline: North Korea
"The DPRK (North Korea) is willing to work with you to create favourable conditions for a resumption of the six-party talks," China's state news agency Xinhua quoted Mr Kim as telling Mr Hu. Mr Kim - who arrived in China on Monday and has now returned to Pyongyang - was accorded the rare distinction of meeting all of China's top leaders during his visit.
No timetable was given for a return to talks, and similar statements of intent have been attributed to Mr Kim in the past. Xinhua gave no details of any pledges of economic aid or other agreements reached between the two allies. "The DPRK (North Korea) is willing to work with you to create favourable conditions for a resumption of the six-party talks," Xinhua quoted Mr Kim as telling President Hu.
"China will, as always, support the DPRK's economic development and improving people's livelihood," Premier Wen Jiabao was quoted as telling Mr Kim in a separate meeting. The BBC's Michael Bristow in Beijing says a close examination of Mr Kim's comments suggests the aim of persuading Pyongyang to give up its nuclear ambitions remains a distant goal.
Mr Wen was quoted as saying that China would assist North Korea with lessons from its own economic reform process. The North Korean leader did not wholeheartedly commit to returning to the six-nation talks, our correspondent notes.
Premier Wen Jiabao was quoted as telling Mr Kim in a separate meeting: "China will, as always, support the DPRK's economic development and improving people's livelihood."
Both sides said they would strengthen economic ties and look for new investment projects.
State TV footage showed Mr Kim, who is 68 years old, looking frail and thin.State TV footage showed Mr Kim, who is 68 years old, looking frail and thin.
The North Korean leader is believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008.The North Korean leader is believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008.
Speculation over his health has fuelled uncertainty about who will succeed him and the impact on Pyongyang's nuclear capability.Speculation over his health has fuelled uncertainty about who will succeed him and the impact on Pyongyang's nuclear capability.
"The leader of the DPRK received a sincere and warm welcome from Chinese people wherever he went in China," reported the North's official Korean Central News Agency. The North's Korean Central News agency said Mr Kim's "unofficial" visit ended on Friday.
"Kim Jong-il expressed satisfaction over the result of his visit." "The leader of the DPRK received a sincere and warm welcome from Chinese people wherever he went in China," it reported. "Kim Jong-il expressed satisfaction over the result of his visit."
This week's visit was Kim's fifth to China since succeeding his father as ruler in 1994, with the last in 2006. This week's visit was Mr Kim's fifth to China since succeeding his father as ruler in 1994, with the last in 2006.