North Korea leader Kim Jong-un, center, waves as he stands beside China's Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, during a Mass Games artistic and gymnastic performance at the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang, Sunday. / AFP-Yonhap

By Park Ji-won

The arrangements of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's exclusive banquet and performance for Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy to North Korea was likely part of the North's intention to solidify independent relations with China amid a fast-changing diplomatic landscape on the Korean Peninsula, critics say.

Li Zhanshu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, led an envoy to the North to participate in the North's 70th founding anniversary on Sept. 9 and returned to China, Tuesday. The anniversary is one of the most important events for the isolated country as it offers a chance for the country to attract public awareness domestically and internationally, part of moves to win diplomatic leverage as well as tourist cash.

During the visit, Li attended a military parade in Pyongyang on Sunday where he sat next to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in a VIP chair. Kim's younger sister Kim Yo-jong and wife Ri Sol-ju also participated in some of the events which are reserved for the chiefs of key allies.

North Korea has been trying to invite Xi to the event, but accepted the delegation instead as Xi couldn't make it to Pyongyang. Also, it was urged to come up with specific measures for denuclearization.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Tuesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a magnificent feast Monday for the Chinese delegation led by Li.

"To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the communist country, the performances by artists welcome Chinese guests, who have a warm friendship with North Korea, at Mansudae Art Theater."

However, critics point out the special treatment was not too exceptional for a visiting high-ranking official from China. They consider the move merely as a gesture to display friendship between the two countries and a political move to achieve regime security.

"The North is giving special treatment to China as North-China relations are playing a central role to secure the North's regime and build its economy after the North's denuclearization," Dongguk University professor Ko Yoo-hwan said.

"Anyway, it was time for Xi to visit North Korea, but China has a burden to do so as it is in a trade conflict with the U.S. and backing North Korea. The North is well aware of the situation."

Other critics point out it is showing the North's attitude toward countries with key diplomatic relations.

"North Korea is not nurturing relations with China under the umbrella of the U.S. Before meeting with the U.S., the North apparently met with Xi. The North's move shows its willingness to have independent relations with China and the U.S.," said Yu Young-soo, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in South Korea.