Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=9/5/2001

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-280066

TITLE=CHINA-NORTH KOREA (L)

BYLINE=LETA HONG FINCHER

DATELINE=BEIJING

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: China says it has renewed its friendship with North Korea after a successful three-day visit by President Jiang Zemin. As Beijing Correspondent Leta Hong Fincher reports, China is also urging North Korea to restart talks with the South.

TEXT: China is hailing Chinese President Jiang Zemin's visit to North Korea as a great success.

This was Mr. Jiang's first visit to North Korea in 11-years, and the first visit by a Chinese president to North Korea since Beijing established diplomatic ties with Seoul in 1992 - a move that angered the North.

Chinese Communist Party official Wang Jiarui (of the Central Committee International Department) says China supported North Korea's efforts to improve its relations with the United States, Japan, and Europe. He also said Mr. Jiang declared his support for reconciliation between both sides of the Korean peninsula, which was divided in 1945.

/// 2ND WANG ACT IN CHINESE, THEN FADE ///

Mr. Wang said that since the summit between North and South Korea last year, relations have progressed. He said China is happy with this development and will continue to support efforts by both sides to develop ties through dialogue, eventually leading to peaceful reunification.

The day before Mr. Jiang's visit, Mr. Kim made a surprise announcement to re-open talks with the South, which have stalled since March.

China also offered energy, food, and other aid to help relieve a famine that is believed to have killed more than a million North Koreans.

/// OPT /// Mr. Wang told reporters about North Korea's grand reception for Mr. Jiang.

/// WANG ACT IN CHINESE, THEN FADE///

Mr. Wang - who was part of the Chinese delegation to North Korea - said that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il personally sent Mr. Jiang to the airport. He says that along the way, hundreds of thousands of North Koreans waved bouquets of flowers and shouted slogans of friendship between China and North Korea.

More than 100-thousand people also celebrated in a farewell pageant to Mr. Jiang, with fireworks, dancing and gymnastics late Tuesday in Pyongyang. /// END OPT ///

Mr. Jiang has invited Mr. Kim to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum next month in Shanghai. Mr. Kim has yet to say if he will attend. (SIGNED).

NEB/LHF/RAE