China, DPRK hold investment meeting in Beijing

China and the DPRK want to attract more companies to two special economic zones in the DPRK. Leaders from the two countries held a joint meeting in Beijing on Wednesday to address the issue. As Chang Dili reports, the word is the development plan has entered into what's beind described as "substantial" phase. .

More than 160 companies, including many private and foreign companies, are showing great interest in the two free trade areas, the Rason Economic and Trade Zone and the Hwanggumphyong and Wihwa Islands Economic Zone

The Ministry of Commerce, provincial governments and management committees in both economic zones gave a comprehensive introduction to local laws, climate and geographic conditions, and resources.

Chinese officials expressed a lot of confidence for development.

Chen Zhou, Department of Asian Affairs, Chinese Ministry of Commerce, said, "The two areas have rich resources and healthy market conditions. The opening up of both economic zones have provided great chances to not only China's state owned companies, but also to its private ones and foreign companies to develop business in such economic zones."

The two economic zones were set up in 2011. Substantial progress has been made in development cooperation, mainly in infrastructure and communications.

The Hwanggumphyong and Wihwado Zone will focus on sectors including information and tourism. Organizers say the goal is to "gradually become an intelligence-intensive emerging economic zone of the DPRK."

The Rason zone will focus on areas including raw materials, equipment manufacturing, high-tech, and high-efficiency agriculture.

Many China's companies are also willing to share their experience with their DPRK counterparts.

Wang Lianhe, Farm Director of Heilongjiang Ning'an Farm, said, "We have already farmed an 8,800-acre paddy field in Rason economic zone this year. We hope to bring the advanced technology and operation concepts to the DPRK and help to promote grain production there."