China has remained tight-lipped about leader Xi Jinping’s potential visit to North Korea, following reports that it could take place as early as this week.

At a press briefing on Monday, Beijing foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that she had “no information” at this time on when Xi would pay a state visit to North Korea, only reiterating that “China and the DPRK are friendly socialist neighbors.”

“The two parties and two countries have a long-term tradition of friendly exchanges, which serves the interests of the two sides as well as peace and stability in the region,” Mao said