Chinese sources have confirmed the Pyongyang leader's arrival though Kim's four-day trip was meant to be a secret as has typically been the case in the past.

A summit meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao could happen within hours.

All eyes are on a soon to be held summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and Chinese President Hu Jintao.

The communist leader reportedly crossed into China on a special train Sunday, accompanied by 30 to 40 senior party and government officials, marking his first visit to the mainland in three years.

Chinese sources say, Kim's four day visit is at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party and not by the government and his three main objectives will presumably be to revive the traditional alliance between Beijing and Pyongyang that was hindered by the arrest of Chinese born Dutch business tycoon Yang Bin two years ago, along with the sticky issue of North Korean defectors seeking refuge in China.

Kim is also expected to use the meeting with Mr. Hu to appeal for economic assistance and to discuss Pyongyang’s nuclear drive.

Beijing has been an active moderator in previous rounds of multilateral nuclear talks.

For China, the summit is a chance to hear Kim's position on his nuclear ambitions and it's an added step in trying to make progress on the six nation initiatives to dismantle Pyongyang’s nuclear programs.

Government officials in Seoul say, while Kim's visit may not result in a breakthrough on the nuclear dilemma, South Korea is hoping the North Korea- China summit will help maintain the international momentum to de-nuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

During his stay in Beijing, Kim Jong-il is also expected to sit down with retired Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Premier Wen Jiabao.

After that, media reports indicate the North Korean leader will make stops around cities to study China's ongoing efforts to reform its economy before returning to North Korea on Wednesday.

Arirang TV