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Kim meets Xi for second time in China
By Gaurav Sharma
Beijing, May 8 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met surreptitiously for a second time in less than two months, a development which reflects growing proximity between the two countries ahead of Pyongyang ruler’s crucial meet with US President Donald Trump this month.
The two met on Monday and Tuesday in Dalian city of China’s Liaoning province that borders North Korea, Xinhua news agency said.
“Comrade Chairman made a special trip to China to meet me again just after 40-odd days at a crucial time when the Korean peninsula situation is undergoing profound and complex changes,” Xi was quoted as saying by the state news agency.
This is their second meeting after their first secret one in Beijing in late March.
The development came ahead of the Kim-Trump most likely talks in Singapore. This also came after the mercurial leader vowed to denuclearise the Korean peninsula and end the decades-long war with South Korea.
Xi held talks with Kim and hosted a welcome banquet for him. Together, they also took a stroll and attended a luncheon, the agency said.
In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, both leaders had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-North Korea relations and major issues of common concern.
Shortly after the news of Kim-Xi meeting, Trump said he would speak with the Chinese President on North Korea.
“I will be speaking to my friend, President Xi of China,” he tweeted. “The primary topics will be trade, where good things will happen, and North Korea, where relationships and trust are building.”
North Korea’s state media reported that Kim travelled to Dalian via a special plane and was accompanied by his sister Kim Yo-jong and Ri Su-yong, a vice party chairman on international affairs.
The Kim-Xi meet could well be read as a sign that China has the influence over North Korea, which is dependent on Beijing in terms of food and other imports.
China is the only ally of North and their ties date back to the Korean War of 1950-53 when Beijing stood by Pyongyang against the South.
However, the ties have been on a downhill since 2006 when the North conducted its first nuclear test despite giving assurance to China that it won’t do so.
Tempers frayed in 2017 when Kim’s regime fired-off series of ballistic missiles embarrassing Beijing and prompting it into giving a go-ahead to the UN sanctions.
–IANS
gsh/soni/mr
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.