A top Chinese communist party official is expected to visit Pyongyang this month amid the possibility of Kim Jong-un's first trip to Beijing as North Korea's leader, a Japanese newspaper reported Monday.

North Korea and China are in consultations over the visit by Song Tao, head of the Chinese Communist Party's international department, to Pyongyang, according to the Tokyo Shimbun.

Song became the powerful Chinese party's point man on North Korea and other diplomatic affairs in late 2015, succeeding Wang Jiarui.

His trip to Pyongyang, if made, would come at a sensitive time in the ties between the two nations.

Their relations showed clear signs of improvement recently after years of strain. But speculation has been rekindled over the health of the bilateral relationship since the Moranbong Band, known to be cherished by Kim Jong-un, suddenly canceled its concert in Beijing last month.

If Song makes a trip to North Korea anytime soon, it could serve as a litmus test for the strength of the Pyongyang-Beijing ties.

The newspaper also said he may discuss the likelihood of Kim Jong-un's trip to Beijing before or after the North's major national congress to be held in May.

Song's predecessor Wang Jiarui traveled to the North in November 2012, accompanying Li Jianguo, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. (Yonhap)