Chinese President Begins Three-Day Visit
North Korea welcomed Jiang Zemin with pink pompoms, purple flowers and cheering crowds as the Chinese president began a three-day trip to the hermit nation.
Jiang’s visit is the first to North Korea by a Chinese head of state since 1992, and it began one day after the North offered to resume diplomatic contacts with South Korea.
Jiang offered “deep friendship” to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, Chinese state media reported.
Jiang is expected to offer Kim assistance for his faltering economy and encourage him to ease tensions with South Korea and the U.S.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
