The new Chinese ambassador to North Korea has not yet met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un amid strained ties between the communist neighbors on the North's nuclear and ballistic missile ambitions, diplomatic sources here said Wednesday.



Li Jinjun took up the post in March and only has met with senior North Korean officials, in contrast with predecessor Liu Hongcai, who met then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il less than a month after assuming the post.



Political ties between North Korea and China remain strained over the North's defiant pursuit of nuclear weapons.



Ruan Cishan, a Chinese commentator, recently told Hong Kong-based Phoenix television that the absence of a meeting between the North Korean leader and the Chinese ambassador showed that Pyongyang could reduce its reliance on Beijing.



Earlier this month, Li met with North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Ri Gil-song and urged Ri to "seek common ground while shelving differences."



The comment by Li could be interpreted as Beijing's desire to develop a normal relationship with the North.



The alliance between North Korea and China has been often described as being "forged in blood" during the 1950-53 Korean War, but it has been wearing thin recently as China's economic and military clout have been growing in Asia. (Yonhap)