From The International Herald Tribune:
Kim Jong Il, the North Korean leader, completed an eight-day visit to China on Wednesday that was notable for his intensive focus on China’s booming economy and for the enigmatic air of secrecy that enshrouded his every move.
Chinese and North Korea state media made nearly simultaneous announcements of Kim’s visit late Wednesday afternoon after more than a week of rampant speculation in regional media about the North Korean leader’s itinerary that both countries repeatedly declined to confirm or deny.
Both sides termed the clandestine trip unofficial, but gave no reason why they chose to use that term. China’s main national television news detailed Kim’s schedule in China, which it said included separate meetings with President Hu Jintao and all eight members of the ruling Politburo Standing Committee as well as high-profile tours of two Chinese provinces, the trappings of an elaborate state visit that would normally involve extensive media coverage.
See also, photo collection of Kim Jong Il’s China visit, via boxunnews.com.
Technorati Tags: China, North Korea
