Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang, North Korea, on the 8th, beginning a state visit after seven years. Xi is expected to hold a summit with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairperson Kim Jong-un in the afternoon and discuss strengthening bilateral ties and regional circumstances.
According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, an Air China charter carrying Xi landed at Pyongyang Sunan Airport around noon that day. Accompanying Xi on the visit are his wife, Peng Liyuan; Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and director of the General Office; and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
A red carpet was laid at the airport, and inside buildings hung the North Korean national flag and China's five-star red flag, along with welcome banners reading "We warmly welcome Comrade Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and president of the People's Republic of China," and "Long live the invincible friendship and unity between the peoples of the two countries, China and North Korea." According to on-site footage released by China Central Television (CCTV), Chairperson Kim and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, came to the airport to greet Xi with applause.
Xi is expected to move into central Pyongyang with Chairperson Kim for an official welcome ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square, followed by an afternoon summit. This visit to North Korea, the first in seven years, is Xi's first overseas trip this year. The meeting between Xi and Chairperson Kim comes nine months after China's Victory Day military parade last September.