North Korea's prime minister arrived in Beijing Monday for a five-day goodwill visit.

Choe Yong Rim is scheduled to meet with top Chinese officials, including President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.

Details of their agenda have not been released, but North Korea has grown increasingly dependent on China for trade and economic assistance. The two countries recently agreed to establish development zones along their common border.

China also supports North Korea's bid for a resumption of six-nation talks on its nuclear programs. The nuclear envoys from North and South Korea met on the issue last week.