North Korean leader Kim Jong-il visited an economic development zone on the outskirts of Dalian city on his second day in China on Tuesday.

According to local sources, vehicles carrying the reclusive leader and his delegation left their hotel at around 10:30 a.m., Korean time, on Tuesday and arrived at the Dalian Economic and Technological Development Zone, located some 30 kilometers away from the hotel. Kim and his delegation reportedly inspected a port that is in construction and returned to their hotel after an hour and a half.

Observers believe Kim inspected the zone as a reference for Pyongyang's plan to build harbors in Rason City in the North.

South Korean and Japanese firms have made inroads into the Dalian Economic and Technological Development Zone, including LS Industrial System Company, POSCON and Parkland.