Paek Nam Sun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), arrived in Beijing Tuesday for talks with senior Chinese officials on issues of common concern.

North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun (C) arrives at Beijing international airport May 30, 2006. Paek arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, the official Xinhua news agency said. [Reuters]

"On issues that concern the interests of DPRK, China will keep communications with DPRK and step up mutual understanding and support," Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in a meeting with Paek on Tuesday afternoon.

"Li and Paek exchanged views on Korean Peninsula nuclear issues," said a statement released by Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told the regular briefing Tuesday afternoon that Paek's talks with Chinese officials were "mainly about bilateral issues."

China and DPRK have conducted active exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and the bilateral relations have shown renewed vitality, the statement said.

Li reiterated that China would like to work with DPRK to continuously promote the bilateral ties.

"DPRK will try its best to advance its friendly cooperation with China, which is the unchanged guideline of the DPRK government," Paek said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also met with Paek on Tuesday afternoon, discussing bilateral relations and issues of common concern.

Paek is visiting China as a guest of his Chinese counterpart.

Paek's China tour came at a time when the six-party talks on Korean nuclear issue remained stalled since the last round of meeting was held in Beijing last November.

The last round of talks, involving China, DPRK, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan, ended up with a Chairman's Statement, in which the parties concerned agreed to resume the talks as soon as possible.

But as Washington imposed financial sanctions on Pyongyang for alleged counterfeiting and money laundering. Until now, there has been no signs that the talks will be resumed.

Christopher Hill, chief U.S. negotiator to the six-party talks on Korean nuclear issue, visited Beijing last week and said that there was no new progress on the six-party talks.

Experts said that Paek's talks with Chinese officials will not produce any substantial results on the resumption of six-party talks as he was not DPRK's chief negotiator to the nuclear talks.

"But Paek's visit could at least ensure the good communication between China and DPRK," experts said.

Paek will also tour Guangdong, a booming province in south China, where DPRK leader Kim Jong Il visited in January.

Spokesman Liu Jianchao said Paek's visit to Guangdong is helpful to enhancing mutual understanding and exchanging experience on economic development.