Chinese President Xi Jinping's widely expected visit to North Korea this month may not happen after all,... as sources say there has been a lack of any relevant moves in Beijing.<br />Reports also say Russian President Vladimir Putin also has no plans to visit the communist state for the regime's upcoming Foundation Day celebration.<br />Lee Seung-jae reports. <br /> Reports last month added to speculation that Chinese President Xi Jinping was planning to travel to Pyongyang around September 9th to celebrate North Korea's 70th founding anniversary.<br />But according to sources,... the Chinese government is not showing movement that would indicate a trip is being planned.<br />In addition,... China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said there's no information to give about the Chinese leader's attendance at the anniversary events in Pyongyang,... fueling expectations that President Xi will stay away.<br /> Also, with President Xi's busy diplomatic schedule in Beijing in early September,... watchers say all signs point to the trip being off.<br />The summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which opened in Beijing on Monday,... has brought together leaders of 53 of Africa's 54 countries, while some countries are planning a state visit to China until September 9th,... the day of the regime's foundation anniversary.<br />In addition, a state visit by the King of Monaco is also slated for September 5th to the 8th.<br />Sources speculate a ranking Chinese official may travel to North Korea on behalf of President Xi.<br />They say if President Xi sends an envoy to Pyongyang,... Wang Huning, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, will be one of the potential candidates,... as Wang attended all three summits between President Xi and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in China earlier this year.<br /> Meanwhile, the Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin is also not scheduled to pay a visit to North Korea.<br />The Kremlin's spokesperson added there are also no plans for a meeting between Kim Jong-un and the Russian leader on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok from September 11th to the 13th.<br /> He said Pyongyang has not notified Moscow about Kim's plans to accept Putin's invitation to the forum.<br />Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News. <br />
