A Chinese diplomatic source contends the high-level communication channel between Beijing and Pyongyang has been virtually suspended for years due to North Korea’s continuous provocations.

The Beijing-based source made the claim Monday, and raised further speculation that dialogue between the two allies have also not been smooth.

The source said it has been a long time since they have had a meaningful exchange and there is no indication they will resume close contact soon.

According to the source, the last significant communication took place in June 2013, when North Korea’s former First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-kwan held strategic talks with his Chinese counterpart.

The sourced pointed out that North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had only a brief meeting last month on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum(ARF) in the Philippines.

In addition, there was no such contact between representatives of the two countries during the UN General Assembly in New York. 

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