President Kim confers with China¡¯s leader

President Kim Dae-Jung, who is staying at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel for the U.N. Millennium Summit, met for talks with Chairman Jiang Zemin of China at the hotel on the morning of September 7 Korea time.

They exchanged views concerning the state of affairs on the Korean Peninsula and the advancement of the Korea-China relationship in the wake of the inter-Korean Summit.

During the meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, they expressed a shared view that the current progress in the inter-Korean relationship following the inter-Korean Summit would contribute to stability and peace in the peninsula, according to presidential spokesperson Park Joon-Young, Park also said that the two leaders had agreed to cooperate fully for a peace settlement on the peninsula.

President Kim reportedly expressed gratitude for the support and encouragement of Chairman Jiang and the Chinese government for the progress in the inter-Korean relationship, and President Kim further requested China`s constructive role for the current inter-Korean dialogue in the areas of the easement of tensions, economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.

"It was joyous to see the progress of the inter-Korean relationship through such developments as the emotional reunion of separated families," Chairman Jiang reportedly said. "It is good that the two nations are putting a great effort toward redrawing the lines of their relationship."

Jiang revealed that he would fully cooperate with a greater concern for the peace and stability for the peninsula.

Kim and Jiang also commented on the cancellation of the visit to the United States by the chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People¡¯s Assembly Kim Yong-Nam.

"It is too bad that Chairman Kim was not able to attend the Summit," Jiang reportedly said. "I hope this does not adversely affect the inter-Korean relationship."

The two leaders regarded highly the speedy progress of the Korean-Chinese relationship, and the two men agreed that the continued meetings and visits, including the planned visit by China`s Prime Minister Zhu Rongji to Korea are proofs of the progress in the bilateral relationship.

President Kim also asked for the Chinese government`s support for the possibility of Korea being selected as the host nation of the 56th U.N. general meeting, scheduled for September 2001. Jiang pledged his support as much as possible.