Japan’s Mainichi Shimbun says Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will visit North Korea early next month.

The Japanese daily quoted diplomatic sources in Beijing as saying that China and North Korea are in the process of scheduling Wen’s visit to Pyongyang.

The Chinese premier is expected to attend the closing ceremony of an event marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and North Korea.

Wen is expected to visit Pyongyang some time between October first and the tenth and is reportedly planning to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il during his stay in the North Korean capital.

Pyongyang’s Vice Foreign Minister Kim Yong-il visited China and met with Chinese President Hu Jintao in March.