North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has held his first meeting with a foreign delegation since he took power after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il.

China's official Xinhua news agency and the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency said Mr. Kim held talks Thursday with Wang Jiarui, head of the International Liaison Department of China's Communist Party, and other Chinese officials.

Xinhua quoted Wang as saying Beijing is ready to work jointly to maintain high-level contacts and boost practical cooperation.

Mr. Kim was cited as saying his government is focused on developing the economy and improving people's livelihoods.

It is not known whether the two sides discussed six-party talks on the North's nuclear disarmament.