China denies reports of troops entering North Korea

BEIJING: China today termed as "groundless" reports that its troops had entered North Korea to help it maintain stability as the country conducted the funeral of its leader Kim Jong Il who passed away last week.

Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said media reports which stated Chinese army had entered the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are "totally groundless".

Yang made the remark at a monthly press briefing in response to a question after reports emerged that North Korea had requested China to help maintain its stability.

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Hong Lei told a media briefing that he was not aware whether China had sent a high-level delegation to attend the funeral of Kim which was being held today.

North Korean government has said it would not permit any foreign delegations to attend the funeral.

Chinese leaders, including President Hu Jintao visited the North Korean embassy here to pay tributes to Kim, regarded as China's closest ally.

Hong said the Chinese Ambassador to North Korea will attend the funeral.

Asked whether China would also observe official mourning like way it did when Kim's father Kim Il-sung died in 1994, flying Chinese flag half mast in Tiananmen square, he said the Chinese flag will fly half mast in Chinese embassy and Consulates in North Korea.