A senior official of the ruling Chinese Communist Party is scheduled to visit North Korea this week to discuss Pyongyang's nuclear standoff and to mark the 55th year of diplomatic relations between Pyongyang and Beijing.

The China Daily quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan as saying Wednesday that Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the party's Central Committee, would make a three-day visit to North Korea beginning Friday.

The daily said Kong stopped short of mentioning whether Li is scheduled to meet with top North Korean officials. However, the paper pointed out that Li's visit is drawing much attention since it could have an effect on current efforts to open a fourth round of nuclear talks, citing a 'high possibility' that Li might meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.