Mid-level Chinese official to visit North Korea in tepid restoration of exchanges between allies

With North Korea firing missiles and facing a potential food crisis, China's ruling Communist Party is sending a mid-level official to visit in hopes of restoring exchanges between the allies.

With North Korea firing missiles and facing a potential food crisis, China's ruling Communist Party is sending a mid-level official to visit in hopes of restoring exchanges between the allies.

Li Hongzhong will join official North Korean commemorations of the signing of an armistice that ended fighting in the Korean War 70 years ago. North Korea, which launched the ultimately futile attempt to conquer its southern rival, considers the agreement a recognition of victory.

The conflict brought in forces from the newly created People's Republic of China, aided by the Russian air force, while South Korea, the U.S. and troops from various countries under the direction of the United Nations battled to repulse the invasion. The border between the Koreas remains among the most tense in the world.

Li is a member of the party's high-level Politburo and a deputy chairperson of the ceremonial parliament, giving him national office, but not the level of status that would convey a full-bore expression of Chinese backing for North Korea at an ambiguous time in relations.

Some experts say North Korea might ramp up its weapons tests around the anniversary of the armistice on Thursday, July 27.

China was invited to send a "high-level delegation" to attend commemorative activities in North Korea, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily briefing Tuesday.

"We believe the visit will be conducive to promoting the sound and stable development of (bilateral) relations, contributing to regional peace and stability, and creating conditions for a political settlement of the (Korean) peninsula issue," Mao said.