China looks set to ease sanctions on North Korea and increase bilateral cooperation in the fields of aviation and tourism.

According to sources in Beijing on Thursday, authorities in Xian, Shaanxi Province, have recently decided to open a direct aviation route to Pyongyang starting in July.

The decision is reported to have come during North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's trip to Beijing earlier this week, where he held summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This has led to speculation that the two sides will likely resume their economic cooperation.

The Pyongyang-Xian route will become North Korean flag carrier Air Koryo's fifth route to China, after routes to Beijing, Shenyang, Shanghai and Chengdu.

[Photo : YONHAP News]