An envoy to Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with North Korean officials in Pyongyang on Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry reported, but it did not say if North Korea's controversial nuclear programme was discussed, Reuters reported. State Councillor Dai Bingguo held talks with North Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Kang Sok Chu, discussing bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common concern, the ministry said. The report made no mention of stalled six-party talks, hosted by China, aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear programme and which North Korea has declared as over. China has been trying to persuade North Korea to return to the negotiating table. There have been unconfirmed reports in the Japanese press that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will visit North Korea in early October. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has said it has "no official information to announce" on that reported visit. -- SPA
