A number of U.S. media outlets say Kim Jong-il’s ongoing trip to China could impact the resumption of the six-party nuclear talks and the situation surrounding the sinking of South Korea’s “Cheonan” naval vessel.

The New York Times said Monday in its online edition that it was significant that Kim’s visit comes just three days after South Korean president Lee Myung-bak met President Hu Jintao of China in Shanghai to discuss the Cheonan’s sinking.

The newspaper also cited analysts as saying that Kim could seek to counter an attempt by South Korea to win Chinese support for punishing the North with economic pressure after the sinking of the Cheonan --- an incident many South Koreans are attributing to North Korea.

The Washington Post reported that China is not expected to agree to increase economic or food aid without movement from North Korea on the stalled six-party talks. It added that Kim would likely agree to return to the talks in return for economic support from China.