**A train believed to be carrying North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has left the Chinese city of Dalian and is reportedly bound for Beijing.**Neither North Korea or China has confirmed Mr Kim’s presence in the country, but media reports suggest he will meet top Chinese leaders.
He arrived in China on Monday, travelling on his special train.
He is reported to have spent Tuesday visiting factories in an industrial zone near the city of Dalian.
Mr Kim is not believed to have been abroad since a 2006 visit to China.
His visits are generally not confirmed until his return - but images and eyewitness reports place him in China.
South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said Mr Kim visited ports and industrial sites in and around Dalian before boarding his train on Tuesday evening.
Observers say there is a high possibility that he is heading to the Chinese capital to seek economic aid in the wake of a disastrous currency reform last year that worsened inflation.
Beijing could also urge North Korea to return to six-party talks on ending its nuclear ambitions.
China is North Korea’s main trading partner and the country perceived to have the most influence on the communist state.
The visit comes at a time of high tension between North and South Korea over the sinking of a warship.
The Cheonan, a South Korean navy vessel, went down on 26 March after an unexplained explosion. Forty-six South Korean sailors died.
Many South Koreans believe North Korea was behind the blast, although there has been no definitive statement from Seoul yet.This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
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