North Korean leader 'in China for summit talks'

North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Il's secrecy-shrouded tour of China arrived in the capital yesterday for a likely summit with president Hu Jintao as the North appeals for food aid and Beijing presses its communist ally to reform its economy.

China is North Korea's most vital supporter and is desperate to prevent a chaotic collapse of Mr Kim's isolated regime, which is again struggling to feed its people following a bitter winter.

The trip comes as a US delegation visits North Korea to assess its food needs.

Mr Kim generally avoids foreign travel - this third trip to China in just over a year shows how much he relies on it.

China's Foreign Ministry has refused to confirm Mr Kim's presence in China, but South Korean media has reported it.