Japanese media say North Korean leader Kim Jong-il will visit China later this month or early next month.

Kyodo News cites diplomatic sources in Beijing and Palestine saying Kim could hold talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Arab leader's three-day visit to China from Thursday to attend the Shanghai World Expo.

If Kim does go to Beijing, it will be his first trip to China since early 2006.

If Kim visits, Kyodo says China is expected to focus on the resumption of the six-party nuclear talks while North Korea will ask for economic support and investment from Beijing.

The Japanese dailies Tokyo Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun say eight officials from the North's ruling Workers' Party arrived in Beijing Thursday, presumably as an advance delegation to arrange Kim's visit.