A senior official from the presidential office says North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s ongoing visit to China appears to be aimed at facilitating the handing down of power to his third son and heir-apparent, Jong-un.

The official said that rather than being an attempt to gain China’s approval for the power transfer to his son, Kim’s trip appears to be a symbolic gesture for the benefit of the North Korean public and its support of Jong-un.

The official told reporters Friday that all signs suggest Kim, who is reportedly in the northeastern Chinese city of Jilin, will not visit Beijing.