A Chinese state-run newspaper has reported North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's visit to China as headline news.

The Huanqiu Shibao, a sister paper of the People's Daily, said Kim went to China with his third son and political heir Jong-un and also touched on the power succession issue.

The paper said countries around the world seem to believe there must be a special reason behind Kim's trip to China.

This report is highly unusual as the Chinese media customarily report on Kim Jong-il's visits to China only after Kim returns home.