North Korean Special Envoy Arrives in Beijing

North Korean politician Choe Ryong Hae landed in Beijing Wednesday, as part of leader Kim Jong Un's "special envoy" to China.

Hae, a Worker's Party member and vice marshal of the Korean People's Army, met with the senior official of the Chinese Communist Party, Wang Jiarui, according to China's state-run news.

The news brief did not mention how long Choe would stay in China, nor the meeting's topic.

Choe's visit comes amidst recent tensions between the two countries.

North Korea launched nuclear tests in February, despite warnings from the Chinese that Pyongyang should hold off.

Earlier in May, unidentified North Koreans reportedly captured a Chinese fishing boat, kidnapped the crew of 16 on board and are still holding them for ransom.

Beijing and Pyongyang have been allies historically, excluding recent animosity over North Korea's nuclear activity.

The past few months, however, have marked a shift, as the two countries fight for control of disputed waters and disagree over relations.

According to the Washington Post, North Korea tests weaponry to make their neighbors anxious, while China tries to coax Pyongyang into being agreeable and peaceful, especially since The North receives financial aid from China.

The Bank of China even cut off their interactions with North Korea's bank, as the money funded Pyongyang's weapons program.

This discrepancy in ideas of how the two countries should interact is causing a rift between them. China recently has decided to put the pressure on Pyongyang to make some changes.

Choe's trip might be an attempt to patch things up, although this has not been confirmed by government officials.

President Obama and South Korean President Park Geun-hye have both made plans to travel to China in June and meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Leader Kim Jong Un himself has not taken a trip to China since he was put in office.