For the first time this year, and for the first time since China's change of leadership, a high-ranking North Korean official has made a visit to its neighbor and largest trading partner.

North Korea’s top political officer in that country’s military, Vice Marshal Choe Ryong Hae, made a visit to Beijing on Wednesday. He was accompanied by other senior military officials as well as ruling party officials.

His visit comes at a time that China’s and North Korea’s relationship has cooled somewhat in response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests in December and February, and China’s halt of business with North Korea’s Foreign .

Choe is a close family friend of the Kim family and is oftern seen next to him in images published to that country’s newsites.He is a member of the Supreme Assembly and holds numerous other posts in that Asian country.

Hong Lei, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman stated today that Choe met with Wang Jiarui on Wednesday and discussed relations on the Korean Peninsula while China encoruaged North Korea to return to the six-party talks on Denuclearization.

Trade will no doubt be another issue that will be addressed during Choe’s visit, 89% of all of North Korea’s import/export is done with China. North Korea’s serious shortage of food and growing famine could also be a topic. North Korea’s severe food shortages have prompted that country to approach Mongolia for assistance as recently as three weeks ago.

The visit may have other purposes as well, it could be that the visit is paving the way for a visit by Kim Jong Un, who has not made a visit to China since coming to power. Kim Jong Un’s father Kim Jong Il visited China just months before his death in December.

Choe’s visit comes as talks between China and South Korea discuss a possible visit to China by South Korea’s new president Park Geun hye.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will also be meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama on June 7th and 8th it was announced by China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Qin Gang. The summit will be held in California.