Asia

China's Xi Jinping Met With North Korea's Kim Jong-un in China

Earlier in the day, the Kyodo news agency reported that a plane from North Korean airline Air Koryo landed at the airport in the Chinese city of Dalian.
Sputnik

Following the reports, the Chinese Xinhua media outlet said that the country's president Xi Jinping and North Korea's Head Kim Jong-un had met in Dalian.

"After my first meeting with the chairman [Kim Jong Un], I'm very glad to see positive progress in both bilateral relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula…. Developing the traditional friendship between China and North Korea is a common treasure of both nations. Improving friendship and cooperation between the two nations is a position both sides hold firmly and is the only correct choice. High-level exchanges between both sides carry important effects that are irreplaceable. Both sides need to maintain regular exchanges, boost strategic communications and mutual trust, and defend our common interests," Xi said as quoted by the news agency.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is currently visiting Dalian, while local police have reportedly increased security on the streets.

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The port city of Dalian has no regular flights to North Korea.

On March 25-28, Kim paid an unofficial visit to China, where he held meetings with the Chinese president amid an international effort to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. This was Kim's first ever international visit since coming to power in 2011.

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