Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing has arrived in North Korea as Beijing works to break an impasse over the Stalinist state's nuclear weapons program.

The official Korean Central News Agency in Pyongyang said Li met with his North Korean counterpart Paek Nam-sun on Tuesday and discussed issues of mutual concern and ways to further bilateral ties. The reports did not elaborate on their talks.

But Li and Paek are presumed to have discussed overall issues surrounding the North's nuclear standoff, including the launching of working-level discussions to open a new round of six-way nuclear talks.

Observers in Beijing say China is very keen to keep the momentum of six-way nuclear talks going and that Li would likely offer food or petroleum as an incentive for the North to come to the negotiating table.

Li's visit to Pyongyang marks the first by a Chinese foreign minister in five years.

Li may meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il during his three-day stay in Pyongyang.