Pyongyang: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in North Korea on Monday, with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally welcoming him at the airport. This marks Xi's first visit to Pyongyang in nearly seven years.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Xi's visit to North Korea comes at the invitation of Kim Jong-un and includes a two-day state visit. Xi was accompanied by his wife, Peng Liyuan, Cai Qi, director of the general office of the Communist Party's central committee, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Upon arrival, Xi and Peng were greeted by Kim and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, with North Korean children presenting bouquets to the Chinese leader and his wife.
A red carpet was rolled out at the airport, with large national flags of North Korea and China displayed prominently on the terminal building. Later, Xi attended a welcome ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square, where the North Korean military honored him with a 21-gun salute and a band played the national anthems of both countries.
Xi, accompanied by Kim, inspected the honor guards of Pyongyang's three armed services. Following the ceremony, the Chinese first couple was taken to the Kumsusan State Guest House, with North Korean citizens lining the streets to wave and welcome them. Talks between the two leaders are expected to cover economic ties, Korean Peninsula issues, and ways to coordinate among Pyongyang, Beijing, and Moscow.
In preparation for Xi's visit, Pyongyang adorned its streets with portraits of Xi and flags of both nations. Banners celebrating the traditional friendship between the two countries were displayed throughout the capital. Xi last visited Pyongyang in June 2019 and has met Kim multiple times since the latter came to power in 2011.
The visit holds symbolic significance as it coincides with the 65th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance between Pyongyang and Beijing. The trip also comes amid growing ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, following North Korean troops' participation in Moscow's Victory Day parade last month.
Despite the diplomatic engagements, North Korea has maintained its military posture. Kim's sister, Kim Yo-Jong, recently declared the country's nuclear status irreversible. Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un continues to expand North Korea's nuclear arsenal and strengthen its military capabilities.
For Beijing, Xi's visit offers an opportunity to reaffirm its influence over the Korean Peninsula, following recent meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Xi's participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea.
Source: Yonhap News Agency