Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao yesterday said China seeks to further promote relations with North Korea " in all areas " as regional partners hold their breath in hopes for nuclear breakthrough , according to Pyongyang ` s state - run broadcaster . The North was apparently eager to reciprocate , as it has signed onto a deal to build a bridge over the Amrok River bordering China and North Korea in addition to existing ones . " Wen Jiabao said he would join hands with his ( North Korean ) comrades to promote and develop exchange and cooperation in all areas , " the Korean Central News Agency said . Wen reportedly made the comments at a " welcome gala " given by North Korean leader Kim Jong - il on Sunday . The broadcaster also reported that Pyongyang has inked a deal with Beijing on technological cooperation including the bridge over the Amrok River . China plans to finance the project estimated to cost $ 144 million , mostly for easy access to the North in case the reclusive regime collapses , political observers said . Wen - the first Chinese premier to visit North Korea in 18 years - is scheduled to leave for China today . He arrived in Pyongyang on Sunday , and was greeted by Kim Jong - il . The official purpose of his trip was to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations , but observers and government officials here said they expected Wen to touch on denuclearization issues . " With China so deep in the denuclearization process , there is bound to be some form of discussion on the nuclear standoff caused by North Korea , " said one Foreign Ministry official declining to be identified . The North Korean leader himself last month indicated that he was ready to engage in bilateral and multilateral dialogue concerning his nation ` s nuclear weapons programs . The comments reportedly were made during a meeting with Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo . China traditionally boasts a strong allied relationship with the North and has so far exercised considerable political muscle over the reclusive regime . North Korean Prime Minister Kim Yong - il reportedly reiterated Kim ` s comments on Sunday , saying that the North " never gave up " on denuclearization and plans to achieve that goal via " bilateral and multilateral " talks . But while all eyes were on Wen for a possible breakthrough , many said this was unlikely , at least at this round of meetings . " The North Korean nuclear problem is not going to go away that easily , although the fact that Wen visited Pyongyang , and that Kim was eager to meet him does strike an optimistic chord , " said Kim Tae - woo , vice president of the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses . There was , however , some anticipation that at least a statement of communique of some kind on regional peace may be struck . " I believe that much was probably coordinated between China and the North , " said professor Yang Moo - jin of the University of North Korean Studies here . Pyongyang quit the six - nation talks - the official denuclearization framework - in April this year . Since then the North has embarked on brinkmanship diplomacy , including a second nuclear test . The North , in an apparent effort to talk with the United States , began issuing a series of goodwill gestures starting in July . It released American journalists it had initially sentenced to hard labor and also a South Korean man . The two Koreas recently wrapped up the first family reunions in almost two years . Despite the reconciliatory mood , Seoul remains adamant that all denuclearization discussions must occur within the six - party framework . The South also of late appeared to be aiming to take the reins in the denuclearization issue . Foreign Minister Yu Myung - hwan yesterday said the South remains committed to the so - called " grand bargain " deal that President Lee Myung - bak recently proposed involving extensive incentives in return for " irreversible " denuclearization measures from the North . During a parliamentary hearing , he also said that the best strategic choice for the North would be to abandon nuclear development . Pyongyang continues to claim that it adheres to its nuclear programs for self - defense , citing " hostile " policies from Washington . The Barack Obama administration has yet to confirm when it would oblige to the one - on - one talks Pyongyang seeks . ( jemmie @ heraldm . com ) By Kim Ji - hyun