Xi Jinping Welcomed with Grand Ceremony in Pyongyang
Beijing (ANTARA) - Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were warmly welcomed by North Korean Supreme Leader and General Secretary of the Workers’ Party, Kim Jong Un, upon their arrival in Pyongyang on Monday afternoon local time for a state visit. Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, who made their first public appearance of the year, personally met Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan at the airport.
According to a written statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following the reception beneath the aircraft, Kim Jong Un organised a formal welcoming ceremony for Xi Jinping at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang. At the centre of the square, giant portraits of the supreme leaders of both the government and the parties of the two nations were displayed. On either side, bilingual slogans in Chinese and Korean were prominently featured, reading “Eternal North Korea-China Friendship” and “Long Live the Unshakeable Unity and Friendship of North Korea and China.”
Crowds gathered to witness the arrival of the two leaders. As Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan arrived by car, a cavalry troop paraded in their honour, accompanied by a military band playing welcoming melodies. Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol Ju met the visitors on the field, where the four leaders shook hands and exchanged greetings with the accompanying delegation.
Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un then ascended the honour podium, followed by the playing of the national anthems of China and North Korea by the military band, accompanied by a 21-gun salute. Accompanied by Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping inspected the honour guard of the three branches of the Korean People’s Army, with guards shouting well-wishes in Korean. The leaders then proceeded to witness a military parade.
Citizens from various walks of life in Pyongyang, including children, dressed in festive attire, waving flags, flowers, and balloons while chanting slogans of China-North Korea friendship amidst loud applause and cheers. Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un walked along the red carpet, waving to the crowds and children.
At the conclusion of the welcoming ceremony, colourful balloons bearing bilingual welcoming slogans were released over the square. Subsequently, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan travelled by car to the Kumsusan Guesthouse for their stay, with Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol Ju personally escorting them to the state guest house. Along the route from the airport to Kim Il Sung Square and the Kumsusan Guesthouse, North Korean citizens lined the streets to wave in welcome. Accompanying Xi Jinping were Cai Qi, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Secretariat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and other high-ranking officials.