A high-ranking Chinese official has visited the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for the first time since February. The senior Chinese diplomat was in Pyongyang to attend the third meeting of a bilateral border commission.

The official is Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin. He arrived at Pyongyang's international airport on Monday with a small delegation.

It's widely expected that his talks would include thorny issues including the DPRK's nuclear programs and international sanctions.

Two sides discuss border security

Yet we haven't seen any mention of that. Liu attended a meeting of a joint border committee. The two sides spoke about border control and the possible opening of more ports.

Liu attends wreath-laying ceremony in capital

Liu Zhenmin also attended a wreath-laying ceremony.

China and the DPRK fought side by side during the Korean War in the 1950s... one of the ties that bind the two countries together.

China's exchanges with the DPRK are widely watched.

South Korean media for instance, say the visit shows that Beijing wants to stay engaged with Pyongyang...despite the DPRK's nuclear tests and missile launches.

China experts describe Liu's talks as normal "neighbor-to-neighbor" exchanges.