Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

China denies troop build-up: North Korea

China has already reportedly moved over 30,000 troops near the North Korean border.
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-Am

From correspondents in Beijing
November 25, 2004

CHINA yesterday denied media reports of a Chinese troop buildup along its border with North Korea and said all was well in the isolated communist state despite speculation about leader Kim Jong-il's hold on power.

A South Korea newspaper quoted sources in Washington saying satellite photos showed 10,000 Chinese troops preparing for deployment along the border and speculated they could be preparing in case of sudden political change in the North.

Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Dawei said: "Such reports are completely groundless. After reading these people will think it's true and this is extremely dangerous."

Mr Wu, who is also China's lead negotiator for six-party talks aimed at resolving a dispute over North Korea's nuclear weapons program, said he had recently been in the North and seen nothing out of the ordinary.

"The political situation is stable, the economy is developing. The leaders are engaged in reforms of the economy and living standards are improving considerably compared to before," he said.

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11492222%255E401,00.html