[USFK Forums] N. Korean leader tours tech city of Zhuhai: Hong Kong media [Yonhap]

[C. Y. Lee]

Uploaded by C. Y. Lee on Monday, January 16, 2006

2006/01/15 16:52 KST

N. Korean leader tours tech city of Zhuhai: Hong Kong media

BEIJING, Jan. 15 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il visited Zhuhai, an industrial city near China's southern business capital of Guangzhou, Hong Kong newspapers reported Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Kim went to the southern Chinese city, one of the five special economic zones founded by China's late leader Deng Xiaoping in 1979 to spearhead market reforms, Ta Kung Pao reported.

On Saturday, the reclusive leader toured Shenzhen, a technology center neighboring Hong Kong after visiting nearby Guangzhou.

Meanwhile, Wen Wei Pao, another Hong Kong newspaper, reported that Kim has already returned to Shenzhen after visiting Zhuhai.

Kim was confirmed to have arrived at the Wuzhou hotel in Shenzhen at around 5 p.m. Saturday amid tight security after having left the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou earlier in the morning.

On Saturday, Kim and Chinese President Hu Jintao were reported to have held their summit on Saturday.

According to Chinese state media, Hu toured a Taiwanese investment zone in Xiamen, a coastal city northeast of Shenzhen and one hour's flight from Guangzhou.

Informed sources said the next leg of Kim's China trip remains uncertain. "It depends on whether he has a meeting with Hu," said one source, requesting anonymity "We cannot rule out the possibility that Kim may go home tomorrow," he added.

Other sources said the North Korean leader may visit Beijing or move to another city if he does not hold a summit with Hu.

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