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Chinese President Xi Jinping Arrives in North Korea

PYONGYANG: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang to kick off a historic visit that marks the first time a Chinese leader has travelled to North Korea in 14 years.

Xi left the Chinese capital Thursday morning with his wife and several key aides, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi, top diplomat Yang Jiechi, and key economic adviser He Lifeng, according to Chinese state media.

Xi will spend two days in the North Korean capital with leader Kim Jong Un, in what is expected to be a largely symbolic affair. Photographs from Pyongyang showed parts of the city being decorated for the occasion, adorned with Chinese and North Korean flags, balloon displays and banners that read “unbreakable friendship.”

China’s state-run People’s Daily reported that Kim and his wife greeted the Chinese first couple upon their arrival in Pyongyang with the typical pomp and circumstance of a state visit — a 21-gun salute, military band and children presenting flowers.

The two then travelled by open-top car to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the mausoleum for North Korean founder Kim Il Sung and former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.