Chinese official: Economic cooperation with DPRK goes well

BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — A Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday that China’s economic and trade cooperation with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is developing well.

“China-DPRK economic and trade cooperation is currently in good shape in terms of development,” spokesman Hong Lei said at a routine press conference, adding that the two countries’ efforts to develop the Rason Economic and Trade Zone and the Hwanggumphyong and Wihwa Islands Economic Zone are going well.

The zones were established on June 9 last year.

Japan’s Kyodo News reported on Monday that China wishes to put the Hwanggumphyong joint development project on hold, citing its poor economic value.

“The report is groundless and irresponsible,” Hong said.

The Rason Economic and Trade Zone is located in the DPRK city of Rason, which is adjacent to Yanbian Prefecture in northeast China’s Jilin province. The Hwanggumphyong and Wihwa Islands Economic Zone is located near the estuary of the Yalu River, a border river between the DPRK and China.

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