Xi Jinping lands in Pyongyang as Kim Jong Un hosts grand welcome ceremony

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and president of China, arrived in Pyongyang on June 8 for a state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Xinhua reports.

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of State Affairs of the DPRK, together with his wife Ri Sol Ju, received Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan at the airport. After Xi descended the aircraft stairs, Kim greeted him with a warm handshake.

Kim hosted an official welcome ceremony for Xi at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang. The senior leaders of both parties and countries together mounted the reviewing stand. A 21-gun salute was fired as the military band performed the national anthems of China and the DPRK.

Accompanied by Kim, Xi reviewed the honour guard of the Korean People’s Army’s three services. Following this, Xi observed a parade together with Kim.

People from various sectors of Pyongyang, along with children and young people dressed in festive clothing, holding flags, flowers, and balloons, greeted the visiting Chinese leaders with applause and cheers.

Along the route from the airport to Kim Il Sung Square and from the square to the Kumsusan State Guesthouse, residents lined both sides of the streets, waving in welcome as Xi arrived.

By Jeyhun Aghazada