China's defense minister travels to North Korea

The visits have come as the two sides mark 60 years of relations and as international pressure mounts on North Korea to return to international talks on its nuclear ambitions.

President Barack Obama announced in Seoul last week that he would send a special envoy to Pyongyang on Dec. 8 in an effort to restart the talks, which are hosted by China. China is the North's main source of economic aid and diplomatic support.

Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie exchanged greetings with North Korean officials at Pyongyang's Sunan Airport on his arrival and later inspected an honor guard with his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong Chun at a Pyongyang park, according footage aired by television broadcaster APTN in Pyongyang.

South Korean and Chinese media reported Liang was the first Chinese defense chief to visit North Korea since 2006. North Korea is Liang's first stop on a three-nation Asian tour that also includes stops in Japan and Thailand.

A North Korea military delegation visited Beijing last week, and the North's state media reported last month that China has invited reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to visit “at a convenient time.”

It's not if the 67-year-old Kim, who reportedly suffered a stroke last year, will accept the invitation. Kim, who rarely travels abroad, last visited China in 2006.

Kim said recently the disarmament talks, which include the United States, Japan, South Korea, China and Russia, could begin again depending on the outcome of direct talks with the United States.

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