China to Donate Rice, Oil for North Korea

At the meeting with Kim Yong-Nam, North Korean president of the presidium of the Supreme People`s Assembly, and Premier Hong Song-Nam held yesterday, the second day of his official visit to North Korea, Chinese president Jiang Zemin said, ``The last June summit between South and North Korea opened a new door for the South-North relationship. And China hopes two countries to continue dialogues and to improve their relationship.``

At the meeting held at the Mansoodae Assembly Hall in Pyuongyang, president Jiang pointed out that the last year summit was possible due to the cherished desire of the people of the two countries, and contributed greatly for peace and stability in the Korean Peninsular and the world.

Earlier in the morning, president Jiang visited the People`s Study Center and donated computers, printers, digital TVs and books.

At the summit with Kim Jong-Il, chairman of the National Defence Commission, held on 3rd, president Jiang promised to support North Korea by donating rice and other food, oil, and chemical fertilizer, and by providing financial assistance, sources in Beijing said.

The sources also said that economy officials including An Min, vice director of the foreign affairs and trade, and military officials including Quo Bo Shung, deputy commander of the People`s Liberation Army, are discussing on practical matters. The scale of donation and financial support would reportedly be, though not yet decided, a range of millions to tens of million dollars.

Lee Jong-Hwan ljhzip@donga.com