North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (2-R) and his wife, Ri Sol-ju (R), walk with Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and his wife, Peng Liyuan (2-L) during a welcome ceremony for the Chinese leader at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Thursday. Photo by KCNA/EPA
SEOUL, June 9 (UPI) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a two-day state visit to Pyongyang on Tuesday after he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to open a new chapter in bilateral relations through expanded cooperation across a range of fields.
During talks Monday, the two leaders agreed to strengthen strategic communication and broaden exchanges in political, economic and cultural spheres, according to accounts released by state media in both countries.
Although neither side announced concrete agreements, Kim described Xi's decision to make North Korea his first overseas destination of the year as an expression of the "utmost importance" Beijing places on bilateral ties, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.
"Pyongyang deems it as its honor," Kim said, adding that the visit demonstrated that the two countries had "always stood together on the right side of history for independence and justice."
