Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un prior to their summit talks in Pyongyang, June 20, 2019, in this image released by Korean Cental News Agency. Yonhap
Chinese President Xi Jinping was set to arrive in North Korea on Monday for a two-day state visit, his first trip to Pyongyang in nearly seven years, as Beijing looks to reinforce ties with its traditional ally that has increasingly been growing intimate with Russia.
Xi departed for Pyongyang earlier in the day at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Chian's Xinhua News Agency reported. He 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.
Xi is expected to land at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, where North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may greet him, as he did during Xi's last visit in 2019.
The two leaders will then ride through streets that will likely be lined with welcoming crowds before attending a ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square.
