Xi Jinping Begins North Korea Visit, Kim Jong Un Welcomes Him at Airport (Comprehensive)

Kim Jong Un and His Wife Extend Warm Welcome, Grand Ceremony Held
Leaders of North Korea and China Move to Kumsusan State Guesthouse

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife personally welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife at Pyongyang Sunan Airport. Screenshot from China Central Television (CCTV).

On June 8, Chinese President Xi Jinping began his state visit to North Korea, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife personally greeting him at the airport. This marks President Xi's first visit to North Korea in seven years, and a grand welcoming ceremony was held in his honor.

According to China Central Television (CCTV) on June 8 (local time), the presidential aircraft carrying President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan arrived at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport around noon. At the airport, Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju personally welcomed President Xi and his wife.

As President Xi disembarked from the aircraft, he shook hands with Kim Jong Un in greeting. North Korean children then presented bouquets of flowers to President Xi and his wife. Before President Xi's arrival, a red carpet had been rolled out at the airport. The terminal was adorned with both the North Korean national flag and China's five-star red flag. In addition, banners reading "Warmly welcome Comrade Xi Jinping" and "Long live the indestructible friendship and unity between the peoples of North Korea and China" were displayed in both Korean and Chinese.

Afterward, the two leaders moved to Kim Il Sung Square to attend a welcoming ceremony for President Xi. According to CCTV, large portraits of both leaders were hung in the center of the square, while on both sides, slogans in Chinese and Korean such as "Everlasting North Korea-China friendship" and "Long live the unbreakable unity of North Korea and China" were displayed.

When President Xi and his wife arrived at the square by car, a cavalry honor guard lined up to receive them, and a military band played a welcoming march. The military band then played the national anthems of both countries, and a 21-gun salute was fired. Guided by Kim Jong Un, President Xi reviewed the North Korean Army's honor guard from the army, navy, and air force, and then observed the parade together with Kim Jong Un. Citizens and students of Pyongyang gathered in the square waving flags, flowers, and balloons, chanting slogans of "North Korea-China friendship" to welcome President Xi and his delegation.

After the ceremony, the two leaders and their wives traveled together to the Kumsusan State Guesthouse where they will be staying. This grand welcoming ceremony was held to mark President Xi's first visit to North Korea in seven years, since June 2019. The two leaders are scheduled to exchange views on North Korea-China relations and matters of mutual interest, and to hold related talks.

President Xi is accompanied on this visit by his wife Peng Liyuan, Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, among others.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.