Amid deepening international isolation, North Korea is beefing up economic cooperation with China through trade, investment and joint industrial projects, which are expected to top the agenda for Jang Song-thaek, vice chairman of the North’s powerful National Defense Commission, who is visiting China this week.

The two countries have joined forces to cultivate an industrial belt along their border, which entails free economic zones in the Rajin-Seonbong and Hwanggeumpyeong-Wihwa Islands areas.

Under the plan, Beijing is constructing and renovating roads, railways, ports and other facilities in the regions at its expense. Pyongyang is believed to have offered development, access and mining permits in response.

Bilateral trade volume in the first five months of the year hit a record $2.6 billion, up about 32 percent on-year, U.S. government data shows.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)