North Korea’s Moranbong Band and State Merited Chorus arrived in Beijing on Friday for performances to last from Saturday until next Tuesday.

Experts saw the visit to China as signaling the beginning of a rapid improvement in the relations between the two countries, even potentially foreshadowing Kim Jong Un’s visit to China in upcoming year.

“This performance will be helpful in strengthening the friendship and mutual understanding between people from both countries,” said Hua Chunying, spokesperson from China’s Foreign Ministry.

The Moranbong Band was first introduced to world in 2012 as the successor to the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble. Being organized