A North Korean tourism expo spotlighting souvenirs opened in the capital on Friday, amid growing expectations that the country could reopen to Chinese visitors soon.

According to state media on Saturday, the opening ceremony for the Pyongyang International Tourists Souvenirs and Health Goods Exhibition took place at the capital’s Sci-Tech Complex the previous day. 

National Tourism Administration Director General Jong Song Il, relevant officials, exhibition representatives and members of Russian and Chinese exhibition delegations attended the opening, according to official reports and NK News analysis of state TV footage.

An unnamed speaker at the ceremony — likely Jong, based on