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           North Korean Envoy Meets With Chinese Official in Beijing

   A senior North Korean military official sent to China as a special
   envoy has met with a top Chinese official, at a time of strained
   relations between the two traditional allies.
   Choe Ryong Hae, director of the General Political Bureau of the North
   Korean army, held talks in Beijing Wednesday with Wang Jiarui, head of
   the International Department of China`s Communist Party.
   A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said the two men planned to
   exchange views on the situation on the Korean peninsula and issues of
   mutual concern. He gave no other details on the meeting.
   "I`d like to point out that China is always committed to maintaining
   the peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, committed to realizing
   the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, committed to using
   dialogue and consultation to solve relevant issues."
   North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent Choe Ryong Hae and a government
   delegation to China on Wednesday.
   Choe is one of the highest-ranking North Korean party officials to
   visit China since Mr. Kim took over leadership of the country after the
   death of his father in late 2011.
   China has long been North Korea`s primary ally and economic lifeline.
   But there are signs the new leadership in Beijing is growing impatient
   with the North because of its nuclear ambitions.
   Some analysts say the North Korean trip to China may be an attempt to
   mend bilateral relations.
   The state-run Bank of China recently halted business with North Korea`s
   main foreign exchange bank. The move, welcomed in Washington, was seen
   by many as a sign China is willing to comply more rigidly with U.N.
   sanctions imposed against the North`s nuclear program.
   China-North Korea ties also were challenged this month when
   unidentified North Koreans seized 16 Chinese fishermen and demanded a
   ransom. China has demanded an investigation into the incident. The
   fishermen were released safely on Tuesday.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korean-envoy-meets-with-chinese-official-in-beijing/1666112.html