Diplomatic sources in Beijing say a senior Chinese official will visit North Korea before the lunar New Year holiday next week.

Wang Jiarui, the head of the international department of China's Communist Party, will reportedly meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and deliver a letter from President Hu Jintao.

The letter is expected to recall bilateral friendship and invite Kim to the opening ceremonhy of the Beijing Olympics this summer.

President-elect Lee Myung-bak was also invited earlier. If Kim accepts the invitation, it will be the first time both Korean leaders attend the Olympics.