Premier Zhao Ziyang gave China’s strongest indication...

Premier Zhao Ziyang gave China’s strongest indication yet that its athletes will go to next summer’s Olympic Games at Seoul, South Korea, saying China will heed International Olympic Committee directives.

Zhao told Takako Doi, Japan Socialist Party chairwoman, in Beijing that China supports North Korean proposals to hold some events in the Communist North. But he said that if the IOC does not adopt the proposals, China will accept the decision.

Japanese sources said Zhao added that he had informed North Korea of China’s position. North Korean Premier Li Gun Mo was in Beijing this week for talks with Zhao.

China is widely expected to compete at Seoul but has made no public announcement out of deference to North Korea, a close ally. China does not have diplomatic relations with South Korea.