Xi Jinping Welcomed by Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang
JAKARTA - Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan were greeted by the supreme leader of North Korea and General Secretary of the Workers' Party Kim Jong Un when they arrived in Pyongyang on Monday (8/6) afternoon local time for a state visit.
Even Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju, who made their first public appearance this year, welcomed Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan at the airport.
In a written statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, it was stated that after being greeted under the plane, Kim Jong Un then held a welcoming ceremony for Xi Jinping at Kim Il Sung Square, Pyongyang.
In the middle of the Kim Il Sung field, there is a giant portrait of the supreme leader of the government and the party of the two countries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan were greeted at Pyongyang airport by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, on Monday, June 8. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China)
On both sides, slogans in two languages, Chinese and Korean, are displayed with the words "Eternal Friendship between North Korea and China" and "Living the Unbreakable Friendship between North Korea and China".
There were also welcoming crowds who seemed happy and waiting to see the two highest leaders.
When Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan arrived by car, mounted cavalry troops lined up to greet them, and a military band played a welcoming song.
Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol Ju then greeted them on the field and the four shook hands and greeted other members of the accompanying entourage.
Then Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un went up to the honor podium, followed by the playing of the Chinese and North Korean national anthems from the military music corps accompanied by a 21-gun salute.
Accompanied by Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping inspected the three-branch honor guard of the Korean People's Army. The members of the honor guard shouted "May Comrade Xi Jinping always be healthy" in Korean. Afterwards, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un watched the parade of the troops.
People from various backgrounds in Pyongyang, including children, were said to be wearing party clothes, holding flags, flowers, and balloons, and shouting slogans of China-North Korea friendship. With applause and cheers.
Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un then walked along the red carpet while waving to the crowd of greeters and children.
At the end of the welcoming ceremony, colorful balloons carrying the welcoming slogans in two languages were flown over the field. After that, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan boarded a car to "Kumsusan Guesthouse", where they stayed.
Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol Ju personally escorted them to the state guesthouse.
Along the way from the airport to Kim Il Sung Square and Kumsusan Guesthouse, North Koreans stood on both sides of the road waving their hands to welcome Xi Jinping's visit.
He was accompanied by Xi Jinping, Secretary of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China, Cai Qi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and other officials.