China has told South Korea that it is "not nervous" about the possibility of an unprecedented visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Russia in May, Yonhap news agency reported.
Russia has said that Kim would be among those attending the May 9th ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, a South Korean diplomatic source said Monday.
North Korea is China's only formal treaty ally, but Beijing's leadership has appeared to become increasingly frustrated by the North's nuclear and missile ambitions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has been under intense pressure over the conflict in Ukraine, is also eager to bolster ties with North Korea in an apparent effort against America's pivot to Asia.