LOC09:29
06:29 GMT
TOKYO, June 20 (KUNA) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang Thursday, embarking on a two-day state visit to North Korea at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
The visit, Xi's first since taking office in 2013, and the first by a Chinese head of state in 14 years, will lend fresh momentum to the bilateral relationship, and help promote lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula in changing times, the report said.
The historic visit comes at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, and the situation on the peninsula is standing at a critical juncture, it said.
In a signed article published Wednesday in North Korea's mainstream media, Xi said he stands ready to work with Kim to chart the future course of China-North Korea relations and open a new chapter for the two countries' traditional friendship.
According to remarks by Song Tao, head of the Chinese Communist Party's International Department, quoted by state-run Xinhua on Monday, Xi and Kim will review the development of bilateral ties in the past 70 years, and have an in-depth exchange of views on the bilateral ties in the new era to guide the future development.
The two leaders will further exchange views on the Korean Peninsula situation in the hope of achieving progress in promoting the political settlement of the issue, Song said.
China is North Korea's major ally and a key provider of economic support.
Kim visited China four times since last year, with the latest in January ahead of his second summit with US President Donald Trump late February, which collapsed without an agreement due to the wide gap between Washington's demand for concrete denuclearization steps and Pyongyang's demand for sanctions relief. (end)
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