(FT) -- China has broken ground on two economic development zones in North Korea, in a tentative sign that the secretive Leninist state is warming to Chinese-style economic reforms.
China's commerce ministry said on Thursday the countries would develop two "government-led, enterprise-based and market-oriented" economic zones close to the Chinese border.
There have been numerous attempts by Chinese entrepreneurs, provincial officials and even the UN to promote cross-border economic co-operation, with limited results. Thursday's announcement marked the first time the two allies had jointly launched such an initiative.
After ceremonies attended by Chen Deming, China's commerce minister, and Chang Sung-taek, administrative director of the Korean Workers' party, the two sides said the zones would provide "a platform to promote economic and trade co-operation with the rest of the world". Mr Chang is also the brother-in-law of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il.
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