North Korea says a Chinese delegation led by the chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee will visit the country from Thursday.

State-run Korean Central News Agency announced on Tuesday that the delegation led by Zhao Leji will make an official goodwill visit at the invitation of North Korea.

China's Foreign Ministry said the delegation will visit North Korea for three days. It said Zhao will attend the opening ceremony of China-North Korea Friendship Year.

North Korea and China have designated 2024, which marks the 75th anniversary of their establishment of diplomatic relations, as the year of friendship.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in a news conference that the ministry believes the two countries will work to make the visit a success and deepen their bilateral relationship.

China and North Korea are expected to stress their solid ties during the visit.

Experts say North Korea wants to deepen ties with China and Russia to counter cooperative efforts among Japan, the United States, and South Korea.