Jiang likely to push N Korean reforms

Jiang's visit to North Korea is the first by a Chinese president since 1992

By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
CNN Senior China Analyst

(CNN) -- China's President Jiang Zemin has started a three-day visit to communist ally North Korea, one day after Pyongyang announced it would resume stalled talks with Seoul.

During his trip Jiang is widely expected to encourage the secluded Pyongyang to pursue a more vigorous reform policy, including persuading it to take part in the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum.

Diplomatic sources in Beijing say Jiang is likely to prod North Korean leaders to target economic reform efforts -- begun during two visits to China last year -- and at the same time convince them it will not hurt their grip on power.

Moreover, Jiang is expected to reassure Kim that Beijing's recent decision to admit private business people into the Chinese Communist Party does not mean the latter would pursue "revisionist" policies.

Washington's plans for a missile defense system, which has sparked anger among the two Asian nations, is also expected to be high on the agenda when Jiang starts talking with North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-il.

The trip comes as Kim attempts to ease the communist nation out of its self-imposed isolation, and comes shortly after a marathon train trip across Siberia to visit the Russian president.

Rapprochement

Jiang's visit to North Korea, the first by a Chinese president since Beijing and Seoul set up diplomatic ties in 1992, is also widely expected to breathe life into a faltering peace process on the Korean peninsula, according to Reuters reports.

While ties between the two Koreas thawed last year, raising high hopes for reconciliation after half a century of enmity since the 1950-53 Korean War, they have since ground to a standstill.

But on Sunday, Pyongyang issued a surprise statement urging Seoul to resume north-south dialogues.

A Western diplomat said the Chinese president is likely to encourage Kim to improve relations with South Korea.

The diplomat added, however, that Beijing favors a slow and gradual progress in rapprochement between the two Koreas.

"It is in Beijing's interest to be able to play the North Korean card against Washington, Tokyo and Seoul," the diplomat said.

For example, Beijing, Pyongyang and Moscow are working out ways to counter Washington's missile defense system, which is directed partly at defending itself against "rogue states" such as North Korea.

Other items on Jiang's agenda include discussions of more economic and welfare aid for North Korea's battered economy.

Chinese grain and coal have provided a crucial lifeline for North Korea, hit by serious food and energy shortages for at least six years because of natural disasters and economic decline since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Reuters reports.

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The Chinese delegation would also discuss with its hosts plans for joint economic projects between China, Russia and North Korea.

Talking to Japanese reporters over the weekend, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said Jiang's visit to North Korea was like "visiting relatives" and that the two leaders would exchange views over a wide variety of subjects.