China, Kim Jong Il | featured news

A U.S. envoy will hold talks with North Korea on its nuclear program in Beijing next week, the first such negotiations since the death of the nation's longtime leader, Kim Jong Il.

This week saw what appeared to be a re-injection of warmth and energy in relations between two longtime ideological allies with a shared history of fighting side by side in war. No. Not that “special relationship” between the U.S. and U.K. That other one, between North Korea and China.

The two countries seemingly renew their vows as Communist brethren, with China's Hu Jintao promising to help develop his ally's economy and North Korea's leader expressing desire to resume nuclear talks. Chinese President Hu Jintao promised North Korean leader Kim Jong Il help in developing the North's economy while Kim spoke of his desire to restart talks on the nuclear program during a summit Friday in the northeastern Chinese city of Changchun, the Chinese government said Monday.

There is no official confirmation of the reclusive leader's travel or its purpose. The son is expected to be named as Kim's successor. In a trip shrouded in mystery and speculation, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il appeared Thursday to be traveling to China by train with his youngest son, according to a South Korean government official.

The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, held talks with Prime Minister Wen Jiabao of China as his government tried to mend ties with Beijing.