A delegation from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), led by the country's Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Yong-il, has arrived in Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry confirmed yesterday.

But the ministry did not link the visit to the stalled Six-Party Talks, saying it was "part of regular exchanges to mark the 60th anniversary of the two countries formally establishing diplomatic ties".

"The two sides will exchange views on bilateral ties and issues of common interest," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a media briefing.