Xi Jinping Arrives in North Korea, Kim Jong-un Greets Him at Airport

TAIPEI (Central News Agency, June 8) — Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang at noon today, beginning a two-day state visit. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol-ju personally greeted him at the airport, holding a high-standard welcoming ceremony.

According to Chinese media reports from Xinhua and CCTV News, Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on a special plane and was greeted at the airport by Kim Jong-un, his wife, and Chinese Ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun.

Chinese media described that North Korea provided high-standard treatment for this state visit. Not only did Kim Jong-un personally greet Xi, but North Korean citizens also lined the streets in a "spontaneous" welcome. Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan descended the gangway, shook hands with Kim Jong-un, and received flowers from North Korean children.

According to reports, a giant portrait of the top leaders of both the Chinese and North Korean parties and states was hung in the center of Kim Il-sung Square. Banners on both sides read slogans in both languages: "May DPRK-China friendship flourish forever" and "Long live the inviolable DPRK-China friendship and unity."

When Xi and his wife arrived at the square by car, Kim and his wife were already there to greet them. The two sides shook hands with each other's entourage, and then the two leaders ascended the reviewing stand together. As Xi Jinping, accompanied by Kim Jong-un, reviewed the North Korean military honor guard, the guards shouted in Korean, "Wish Comrade Xi Jinping good health," and the two watched the military parade together.

North Korea also arranged for crowds and children holding flags, flowers, and balloons to shout slogans of "China-North Korea friendship" and express welcome to Xi Jinping and his delegation with applause and cheers. Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un walked along the red carpet, waving to the welcoming crowds and children.

Subsequently, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan drove to the Paekhwawon State Guest House for their stay, with Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol-ju personally escorting them to the guest house. Footage showed that along the route from Pyongyang Airport, through Kim Il-sung Square, to the Paekhwawon State Guest House, large numbers of mobilized North Korean citizens lined the roads, waving to welcome Xi Jinping's visit.

In mid-May, Xi Jinping met separately with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing. Outside observers predict that Xi Jinping aims to consolidate and strengthen China's position in the situation on the Korean Peninsula through this visit to North Korea. (Editor: Lu Jiarong / Qiu Guoqiang) 1150608