A North Korean delegation that appears to be comprised of officials from the international department of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea has arrived in Beijing.

Diplomatic sources in Beijing said Friday that given that the delegation was greeted by a Chinese official from the Communist party’s international liaison department, the North Koreans are likely to be visiting China to discuss preparations for an upcoming visit by the North Korean leader’s heir apparent Kim Jong-un.

North Korea’s international department and China’s international liaison department are charged with dealing with matters regarding reciprocal visits by their leaders.

The sources said Pyongyang and Beijing have been coordinating views on the heir apparent’s visit to China.

If the younger Kim gets to meet China’s top officials, his position as heir apparent is expected to be solidified.

Chinese and North Korean state-run media as well as the Chinese party’s liaison department are not reporting the movements of the North’s delegation.