North Korean vice premier to visit China Dec. 24-27
(Kyodo)
Updated: 2005-12-22 20:14

A North Korean government delegation led by Vice Premier Ro Tu Chol will visit China on Saturday through Tuesday to discuss issues of mutual concern, the two countries said Thursday.

Ro's visit is part of regular exchange of visits by senior officials of China and North Korea, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a press briefing.

"China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are friendly neighbors," Qin said. "Delegations of all ranks and levels from the two sides often exchange visits."

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency also confirmed Ro's trip.

China gives food, fuel and economic aid to North Korea. It also nudges North Korea to cooperate with the United States, South Korea, Japan, and Russia in the six-party talks on curbing the North's nuclear ambitions.

Chinese President Hu Jintao visited North Korea in October.