NEW DELHI: Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a welcome ceremony in Pyongyang on Monday as Xi began his first state visit to North Korea in seven years.

The Chinese leader's visit on June 8-9, his first in seven years, comes as Pyongyang strengthens relations with Russia.

Xi Jinping will visit North Korea on June 8-9, signaling stronger China-North Korea ties after years of pandemic-era strains.