A leading Japanese daily says China avoided giving an immediate answer to North Korea’s request to attend an event marking the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War armistice.

The Mainichi Shimbun quoted multiple diplomatic sources in Beijing on Wednesday as saying that North Korea's special envoy Choe Ryong-hae conveyed such a request to China’s leadership during his recent trip to China.

The report said the North apparently wants Chinese President Xi Jinping or Premier Li Keqiang to attend the celebratory event. The daily forecast that China is expected to pressure North Korea to engage in dialogue by leveraging the request.

The North marks the signing of the armistice with large celebrations every year. In particular, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un instructed that this year’s celebrations must be grander than South Korean and U.S. events since it’s the 60th anniversary.