Chinese Visit to North Boosts Ties

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Chinese Visit to North Boosts Ties

The visit by China's defense minister to North Korea just 24 hours ahead of the historic trip by U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is a move to strengthen ties between the Communist allies, many analysts said Monday.

A senior Unification Ministry official told the JoongAng Ilbo English Edition that although the Chinese delegation is in Pyongyang to celebrate the 50th anniversary of China's entry into the Korean War, it is also there to reaffirm the traditional ties between the two.

The Chinese delegation, headed by Defense Minister Chi Haotian, arrived in Pyongyang on Sunday for the anniversary celebration.

South Korean government officials said that the confirmation of the alliance took on special urgency because of warming relations between the United States and North Korea.

Mrs. Albright became the first U.S. official to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-il on Monday. She began her visit to Pyongyang by paying a courtesy call at the grand palace honoring the founder of North Korea, the late Kim Il-sung.

According to Mr. Chi, the friendship between China and North Korea "is significant for maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

However, some officials played down the Chinese visit.

"I don't think the Chinese minister's visit to Pyongyang was timed with the visit by the U.S. secretary of state," said Lee Jong-seok, a research fellow at the Sejong Institute.

"He took part in the war himself, and the celebration itself has a significant meaning for both sides," Mr. Lee added.



by Lee Soo-jeong

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