BEIJING: China said Wednesday its ambassador to North Korea was attending the two-day funeral ceremony of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, after Pyongyang said no foreign delegations were invited.
China's envoy was present at the ceremony "as per prior arrangements" with the North Korean government, foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei confirmed at a regular press briefing in Beijing.
It was not clear whether Liu Hongcai was the only ambassador attending as North Koreans bade their final farewell to their longtime leader in a snowbound Pyongyang, but the regime had said no foreign delegations were invited.
Kim was a frequent visitor to China, North Korea's closest ally and largest trading partner by far.
Since the announcement of his death on December 19, a series of leaders from President Hu Jintao downwards have gone to the North Korean embassy in Beijing to pay their respects.
Beijing has also expressed hopes North Koreans will unite behind Kim's son and chosen successor, Kim Jong-Un, who walked alongside his father's hearse as it was driven through the city on Wednesday.
Hong made the comment after a three-hour ceremony had begun around midday in Pyongyang Wednesday, without specifying which events during the two-day funeral Liu would attend.
He also said flags at the Chinese embassy in Pyongyang would fly at half mast during the mourning period.
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