Chinese President Hu Jintao has reportedly invited North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and new leaders of North Korea’s ruling party to visit Beijing.

China’s CCTV said Monday a Chinese delegation to Pyongyang conveyed Hu’s invitation during a recent meeting with the reclusive leader.

As Kim’s third son and heir apparent, Jong-un, is among those invited by China, observers say the move demonstrates that Beijing supports the North's third generation father-to-son power succession.

In response, CCTV says the North Korean leader has conveyed his hopes to visit China and has also invited Hu to visit the North.