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 arrived in North Korea on Monday, China's state media reported, for a two-day state visit that marks 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 landed in Pyongyang earlier in the day at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, China'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.
News footage aired by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showed Kim and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, personally welcoming Xi and Peng at the airport in Pyongyang.
The two leaders shook hands after Xi descended from the aircraft, while North Korean children presented bouquets to the Chinese president and his wife.
