Chinese officials say North Korea's number two leader is planning to visit China next week.
China's official Xinhua news agency says North Korea's ambassador in Beijing announced the visit Monday at a banquet celebrating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the countries.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman says the visit by Kim Yong-nam, head of the presidium of North Korea's parliament, is a goodwill gesture on the occasion of the anniversary.
The spokeswoman did not say whether the stalled six nation talks on the North's nuclear program would be discussed during Mr. Kim's visit.