China's Foreign Ministry said it had received no information that the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Il intended to soon visit China.

Spokesman Qin Gang made the remarks Thursday in response to a question regarding media reports in Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) saying Kim would visit China in late March.

Qin told a regular press conference that the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) have traditionally enjoyed high-level visits.

"We believe this tradition can be maintained," he said.

Kim Yong Il, director of the International Affairs Department of the WPK Central Committee, visited China in February. This was viewed by some in the overseas media as paving the way for Kim's visit to China.