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 Tuesday.

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.

But the Foreign Ministry added in a statement that positive signs were seen in August, suggesting tension had eased on the Korean Peninsula.

The DPRK has made a series of conciliatory gestures during the past month that analysts interpreted as an attempt to re-engage with the outside world.

Last Saturday, it released four Republic of Korea (ROK) fishermen who were detained last month after their boat strayed into northern waters. DPRK and ROK also agreed to hold reunions for families separated by the 1950-53 war, which was widely said to "be a new watershed in improving inter-Korean relations".

"We hope that all sides concerned will grasp the opportunity so that the situation will develop with better prospects," the statement said.

Late last month, Chinese nuclear envoy, Wu Dawei, visited Pyongyang, a move that analysts thought was aimed at encouraging DPRK to return to the Six-Party Talks.

Fan Jishe, an expert on the DPRK at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said it was "very likely" that both China and the DPRK would exchange ideas about the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue during the delegation's visit.

Kim Yong-il told the media last month "we always keep the door open to negotiations", Fan noted, adding that the DPRK was "eager" to break the deadlock on the nuclear issue.

China may take the opportunity to deliver the message that the DPRK should return to the Six-Party Talks framework, which facilitates direct US-DPRK dialogue, Fan said.

Wang Fan, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, said all parties should make the most of the current easing of tension and restart talks.

China will continue to encourage the DPRK to return to the six-nation talks framework, "though in whatever flexible way", he suggested.

The DPRK said earlier this year, at a time when tension was heightened, that it would permanently withdraw from the Six-Party Talks because they were no longer useful.

Jin Canrong, a professor of international studies at Renmin University of China, said the visit of the DPRK delegation might be interpreted as Pyongyang changing tactics in order to break the stalemate on the nuclear issue.

The DPRK may also be trying to ease the pressure from tough United Nations sanctions brought in as a punishment following its nuclear test in May and a series of missile launches.

Jin said the Foreign Ministry spokesperson this time did not focus on the form of the Six-Party Talks, instead simply stressing the importance of dialogue.

This shows China's stand on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue has been resolute and consistent, he said, "even if it will take a long time and require great patience on the part of the parties concerned".

(China Daily September 2, 2009)