The U.S. is hoping North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s rumored visit to China, if it is realized, serves as a breakthrough to the stalled six-way nuclear talks.

U.S. State Department acting deputy spokesman Mark Toner made the remark Wednesday in Washington, referring to reports that Kim could soon visit China to discuss Chinese aid for the North and other issues.

Toner reiterated that the U.S. remains committed to the six-party talks’ structure to resolve the nuclear stalemate.

Toner said Washington hopes Kim’s purported visit would serve as an occasion in which China can express concerns about the North’s nuclear program and persuade it to return to the six-party nuclear talks.