China's official Xinhua News says Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Pyongyang on Sunday.

In a media release timed with Li's arrival at a Pyongyang airport, the vice premier said China positively assesses North Korea's efforts to improve ties with South Korea and the U.S. and its efforts to resume the six-party nuclear talks.

He said China will continue to play a constructive role to make positive contributions for progress in the denuclearization process of the Korean Peninsula and to maintain regional peace. He stressed that China is ready to exert joint efforts with all concerned nations.

Li is considered the top candidate to succeed incumbent premier Wen Jiabao in the Chinese Communist Party's convention next year.

He will briefly return to Beijing on Tuesday before visiting South Korea on Wednesday.