Visit our website: HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------------------------- [Via Communist Internet... http://www.egroups.com/group/Communist-Internet ] [Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ] . .President Jiang Gets Warm Welcome in DPRK Chinese President Jiang Zemin <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/people/jiangzemin.shtml> started a three-day visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/dprk.html> ) on Monday, spurring hopes of progress on the Korean peninsula a day after Pyongyang said it would resume talks with Seoul. Jiang arrived in the capital of DPRK accompanied by Vice Premier Qian Qichen <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/people/qianqichen.shtml> , and Zeng Qinghong, the head of the Communist Party's organisation department. President Jiang was warmly greeted by DPRK leader Kim Jong-il and crowds of workers who lined the route from the airport to the city centre, Korea Central News Agency said. Jiang's visit to DPRK, the first by a Chinese president since 1992, has been hailed in South Korea as a shot in the arm for the faltering Korean reconciliation process. President Jiang Gets Warm Welcome in DPRK Seoul hopes that Jiang will encourage Kim to make good on his pledge to visit South Korea. Jiang's visit follows two trips to China by Kim since last year. A trip to China in May 2000 paved the way for his historic summit with South Korean President Kim Dae-jung in Pyongyang the next month. He made his second visit to China in January and toured Shanghai <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/Shanghai.html> 's stock market. However some analysts said the focus of President Jiang's visit was still likely on bilateral issues including a planned railway link to Russia <http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/data/russia.html> , and plans to provide aid and electricity to DPRK. "It clearly is a heavyweight visit," said one Western diplomat. Relations between the two Koreas thawed last year, raising high hopes for reconciliation after half a century of enmity since the 1950-53 Korean War. But the process then ground to a standstill by Washington's decision to brand DPRK a "rogue state" and to put US-North Korean ties on hold. Tokyo-based news agency Radiopress quoted DPRK newspaper Rodong Shinmun as saying Jiang's visit was "important in strengthening and developing ties between the Chinese and the North Korean people and also for establishing a better environment for peace on the Korean peninsula and in Asia." Jiang was also expected to encourage his hosts to launch economic reforms after Kim witnessed the results of Beijing <http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/province/beijing.html> achievements of reform and opening-up on his trips to China. Jiang's entourage also included Guo Boxiong, member of the Central Military Commission and deputy chief of the People's Liberation Army General Staff, and Wang Gang, director of the Communist Party's General Office. **** Chinese, DPRK Leaders Begin Talks in Pyongyang. Visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin started talks on Monday with Kim Jong Il, general- secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee and chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The two leaders are expected to exchange views on the further development of China-DPRK relations in the new century and major international and regional issues of common concern. Jiang, who is also general-secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrived in Pyongyang Monday noon for a three-day official visit to the DPRK at the invitation of Kim. **** Jiang Says Visit to DPRK Bound to Further Bilateral Ties. Chinese President Jiang Zemin expressed his conviction Monday in Pyongyang that his visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is bound to further the traditional friendship between the two ruling parties, countries and peoples. In a speech made upon his arrival here, Jiang also expressed his belief that the visit will help promote the common prosperity and development of the two countries and make contributions to safeguarding peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the region as a whole. Jiang was here to start a three-day official goodwill visit at the invitation of Kim Jong Il, general-secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee and chairman of the National Defense Commission. Saying he brought with him the Chinese people's deep friendship, Jiang, also general-secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, expressed his greetings and best wishes to the Korean people. Under the firm leadership of the WPK in the past half a century and more, Jiang said, the brave and diligent Korean people have set up the people's government, gained the victory of the liberation of the Fatherland and made notable accomplishments in the socialist construction. In the past few years, Jiang went on to say, the WPK has led its people to forge ahead along the socialist path with Korean characteristics, and made remarkable achievements in overcoming economic difficulties, improving relations with the South and developing foreign relations. Jiang also spoke highly of the traditional friendship between the two peoples which was initiated and fostered by leaders of the old generation of the two countries, saying that the friendship has been deepened continuously in the two peoples' struggles for national liberation, for maintaining peace and for building their countries. Pointing to Kim's two visits to China, one in May last year and the other early this year, Jiang stressed that the two visits had consolidated, developed and deepened the traditional friendship between the two parties, countries and peoples. Jiang said he will hold wide-ranging talks with Kim and other DPRK leaders on bilateral relations in the new century and other issues of common concern. **** DPRK Paper Hails Chinese President's Visit . Chinese President Jiang Zemin's visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will further boost the friendly ties between the two peoples and create a favorable environment for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the rest of Asia, a leading DPRK newspaper said Monday. Jiang's visit comes at a time when the Korean people are making energetic endeavors to build a prosperous and powerful nation and to achieve national reunification, said Rodong Sinmun in a commentary. Jiang arrived here Monday noon for a three-day official goodwill visit at the invitation of Kim Jong Il, general-secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee and chairman of the National Defense Commission (NDC). The paper said that the long-standing and deep-rooted Sino-DPRK friendship will continue to develop in the new century. It added that the peoples of the two countries have hewed the path of victory, waging the common protracted and arduous struggle against imperialism and for independence, sovereignty and socialism. Jiang's visit "is a demonstration of the bonds of the DPRK- China friendship growing stronger in the new century," the paper said. It also applauded China's accomplishments of its modernization drive, saying the Chinese people have "embarked upon the road of making a new advance to attain a higher goal of socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party with Jiang Zemin at the core." "They are working hard to successfully carry out the Three Major Tasks, thoroughly meet the demands of the 'three represents' and achieve the reunification of the whole country," the paper continued. "It is the consistent stand of the Workers' Party of Korea and the people of Korea to steadily consolidate and develop the Sino- DPRK friendship. We are convinced that the DPRK-China friendship will grow stronger in the new century thanks to the joint efforts of the two parties and peoples." **** ------------------------------------------------- This Discussion List is the follow-up for the old stopnato @listbot.com that has been shut down ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9spWA Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: archive@jab.org T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
