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, with leader Kim Jong-un making a rare public appearance at the airport to personally welcome Xi, who is on a two-day state visit that also marks his first trip to Pyongyang in nearly seven years.

Xi landed in Pyongyang earlier in the day at the invitation of Kim, China's Xinhua News Agency reported. He was accompanied by his wife, Peng Liyuan, as well as 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.