Kim may visit China this week: Japanese press

By Zhang Wen

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is rumored to be planning a trip to China by week's end, but diplomatic sources in Beijing say the visit is unlikely, various Japanese media reported.

The Kyodo news agency said Friday that the North Korean and Chinese governments are in the "final stages" of adjusting the schedule for Kim's two-day visit to China.

Earlier this month, Sankei Shimbun and other media reported that Kim was scheduled to visit China in mid-April, but the newspaper later reported that the trip was canceled.

Tokyo Shimbun also reported Friday that Kim may visit China this coming Friday. It said that a delegation from the North Korean Workers' Party arrived Thursday in Beijing and was welcomed by officials of the Chinese Communist Party.

According to the Tokyo Shimbun, eight officials, including Kim Song-nam, a senior official in the international affairs division of the North's Workers' Party, arrived in Beijing.

Kyodo even said Kim was expected to meet with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. "Abbas plans to hold talks with Kim in China when Abbas visits the country Friday and Saturday of next week," Kyodo quoted sources as saying Friday.

South Korea's MBC television noted Monday that, starting from Friday, staff from Japan's Fuji TV, Yomiuri Shimbun and other news organizations began traveling to Dandong to report on the possibility of Kim's visit to China.

But South Korean diplomatic sources say the visit is unlikely.

A South Korean source said, "The tension between the two Koreas has escalated, and China cannot afford to pay attention to the Korean matter, as it is preoccupied with the aftermath of the Qinghai earthquake and the opening of the Shanghai Expo. Kim's visit to Beijing is not impossible, but the possibility is low."

When asked about whether the North's leader would attend the opening ceremony of the Shanghai Expo, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Thursday that "some state leaders will attend the opening ceremony of the Shanghai World Expo; we are actively arranging it. When the arrangement is determined, we will release information."

Furthermore, Wang Min, secretary of the Liaoning provincial Party committee, who would likely be a crucial greeter if Kim is coming, is currently leading an investment delegation on a tour to Japan and South Korea.