Update | Top North Korean official makes surprise visit to China, with talks expected to focus on economic ties
Ri Su-yong, vice-chairman of the North’s ruling Workers’ Party, arrives in the capital in what is seen as bid to mend relations with Beijing
A top North Korean official made an unexpected visit to Beijing on Tuesday in an apparent attempt by Pyongyang to mend frayed ties with its powerful neighbour, Japanese media reported.
China is North Korea’s largest trading partner and has been its key diplomatic protector for decades, but ties have been strained recently by Pyongyang’s internationally condemned nuclear test programme, with Beijing supporting UN sanctions against its isolated neighbour.
Ri Su-yong, vice-chairman of the North’s ruling Workers’ Party, arrived in Beijing to brief Chinese officials on a once-in-a-generation party congress held earlier this month, Kyodo news reported.
The lack of any official Chinese representation at the congress – which cemented leader Kim Jong-un’s grip on power – was viewed as a sign of friction between the two nations.