China province seeks port access via North Korea

China province seeks port access via North Korea    A landlocked province in northeastern China has led a push to gain access to deep sea cargo traffic via North Korea, Reuters reported last week.
   The governor of Jilin province said Beijing is in talks with its neighbor about using North Korea's ports to ship goods for a new economic development zone in the province. The idea is to revitalize the economy of Jilin, while giving a boost to North Korea's derelict transportation system.
   The report said trade between Jilin province and North Korea amounted to $247 million in 2008.
   China is the only country that maintains relations with isolated North Korea, though their once-close relationship has been tested by North Korea's nuclear ambitions and frequent agitations against South Korea.
   'In October, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pledged to strengthen bonds with isolated North Korea during a visit to Pyongyang, and the port proposal appears to be another step in that direction,' the report said.