Does China Have Influence over North Korea?

Analysts are warning against hasty optimism after the visit of the Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, to North Korea yesterday, saying it might not be the watershed moment that brings North Korea back to talks aimed at containing the country’s nuclear drive.

Mr Wen’s three-day visit is officially to commemorate the China-North Korea friendship year, which also coincides with the 60th anniversary of the two countries’ establishment of diplomatic ties. He was greeted by Kim Jong Il at the airport, China’s state-controlled Xinhua news agency said yesterday in a dispatch from the capital of the reclusive country.

Mr Wen is heading a high-ranking delegation that includes the foreign minister, Yang Jiechi; his top nuclear envoy, Wu Dawei; the head of the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s top economic planning body; as well as senior officials in trade, culture, education and tourism. Yesterday afternoon, the two sides signed a series of agreements, according to Chinese state radio.

Such visits usually coincide with a generous economic package to China’s destitute ally.