SEOUL, March 1, SPA -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Ilvisited the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang on Saturday, NorthKorean state media reported, as efforts continued tosalvage stalled negotiations over the North's nuclearprograms, reported ap. Kim visited at the request of Chinese Ambassador LiuXiaoming, and the Chinese envoy «conveyed the regards» ofChinese President Hu Jintao, the Korean Central News Agencyreported. The two had «a cordial and friendly talk,» KCNAsaid. It did not elaborate on their discussions. The Chinese ambassador then hosted a banquet for Kim, KCNAsaid. High-level North Korean officials accompanied Kim,including Kim Kyok Sik, chief of the general staff of theNorth's military, and First Vice Foreign Minister Kang SokJu, KCNA said. Kim occasionally visits the Chinese mission. His lastknown visit there was on March 4 last year. The visit came amid efforts to move forward the stalledtalks on the North's nuclear program, involving the twoKoreas, the United States, China, Russia and Japan. Earlier Saturday, Assistant Secretary of State ChristopherHill, the lead U.S. negotiator at the six-nation talks,arrived in Beijing for discussions on breaking thedeadlock. A U.S. State Department official earlier said Hill mightmeet with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Kye Gwan, butthe U.S. Embassy said there were no meetings scheduled. Hill was due to meet Chinese Vice Foreign Minister WuDaiwei during the one-day trip. North Korea's denuclearization process has reached adeadlock, with Washington accusing Pyongyang of not fullydisclosing its nuclear programs under anaid-for-disarmament agreement struck last year. North Korea claims it gave the U.S. a list of its nuclearprograms, but Washington says Pyongyang never produced a«complete and correct» declaration.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/531926