Chinese premier arrives in North Korea

PYONGYANG - Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao arrived here Sunday on a three-day visit and was greeted at the airport by North Korean premier Kim Jong Il.

Wen arrived at Sunan Airport around 10.30 a.m. (0130 GMT) and headed to the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, where he paid tribute to late president Kim Il Sung.

Wen, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Political Bureau, will meet and hold talks with North Korean leaders on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern, China’s foreign ministry said.

He will also attend commemorative events of the China-North Korea Friendship Year, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations.