North Korean leader Kim Jong-il met with former Chinese President and current military chief Jiang Zemin.

The South Korean Munhwa Ilbo daily quoted Jiang as saying there is little chance that the U.S. would invade North Korea and "strongly" advising that Pyongyang discard its hardline stance against Washington.

Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency earlier quoted Beijing sources as saying Kim had stressed the need for defense against a possible attack by the United States and had sought increased military exchanges with China.

Kim is also believed to have discussed economic exchanges with Premier Wen Jiabao during the day. Wen reportedly urged North Korea to "benchmark" China's model of economic development and suggested that Kim visit South Korea to witness for himself the results of what the Chinese premier called "the winds of capitalism."

The North Korean leader is expected to later tour China's major information technology complexes in Beijing and the Great Wall.

Meanwhile, the Chosun Ilbo newspaper in Seoul said that at talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday, Kim offered to abandon his country's nuclear program if the U.S. changes its "hostile" attitude towards the North.

The reclusive North Korean leader, accompanied by a 30- to 40- strong entourage, arrived by train in Beijing Monday on an unofficial visit and headed directly into talks with President Hu Jintao.