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China’s embrace of North Korea’s Kim irks neighbors
China’s Xinhua news agency said Kim was given a warm welcome by President Hu Jintao, making no reference to the ship, which officials in the South believe North Korea sank with a torpedo in late March.
Witnesses at the Chinese border city of Dandong said Kim’s armored train crossed the border back into North Korea on Friday afternoon.
Xinhua quoted the North Korean leader as repeating a commitment to end the nuclear arms program, that is seen as a major risk to economically powerfully North Asia, and his willingness to discuss returning to international disarmament talks which he has boycotted for one-and-a half years.
“The North Korea side stated that its stance in favour of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula has not changed,” Xinhua said. “The North Korean side is willing, together with all parties, to discuss creating favorable conditions for restarting the six-party talks.”
North Korea’s KCNA news agency relayed a message of thanks from Kim to Hu which praised the “world-startling achievements” made by China “after doing away with the centuries-old backwardness.” No mention was made of the nuclear stand-off or other substantive issues.
South Korea has expressed its displeasure that China had rolled out the red carpet so soon after the sinking of one of its warships near their disputed border. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said he believed his giant neighbor would come round once investigators reach a final conclusion, which is expected later this month.
“The Chinese government will understand and play a role,” Lee was quoted as telling ruling party officials.
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