China's President Xi Jinping ended his two-day state visit to North Korea on Friday, Chinese media reported, after he confirmed with its leader Kim Jong Un that the two countries will bolster their traditionally friendly relations.
During his second day in Pyongyang, Xi, as the first Chinese president to travel to North Korea in 14 years, accompanied Kim to the "Friendship Tower," which was built in memory of Chinese soldiers who fought in the 1950-1953 Korean War.
Xi and Kim also held talks for a second consecutive day to discuss issues related to the Korean Peninsula, China's Xinhua News Agency said later Friday.
(Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (R))
[KCNA/Kyodo]
As China and North Korea fought together in the war against U.S.-led United Nations forces, they have long described each other as "blood brothers." Since the war ended in a cease-fire, Beijing has exerted economic and political influence over Pyongyang.
The visit by Xi, who became president in 2013, reflects an improvement in bilateral ties since Kim made his first trip as supreme leader to China in March last year.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters on Friday that Xi's visit to North Korea was "very successful."
According to Chinese media, Xi and Kim on Thursday had dinner and watched a "mass game" show put on for Xi -- a massive, coordinated gymnastic and artistic performance which tens of thousands of North Korean people joined.
At their talks earlier in the day, Xi urged Kim to maintain dialogue with the United States toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, China's state-run broadcaster reported.
Kim, meanwhile, voiced dissatisfaction with the United States. He was quoted by the broadcaster as saying Pyongyang has taken steps to avoid tensions but has "not received a positive response from the relevant party," apparently taking a jab at Washington.
On Friday morning, North Korean media also reported Xi's arrival at Pyongyang airport and his meeting with Kim the previous day.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency said the leaders exchanged views on "important global and regional issues" in a candid manner, but it did not elaborate on what they discussed regarding the stalled denuclearization talks between the United States and North Korea.
In Pyongyang, Xi stayed and held talks with Kim at the Kumsusan State Guest House, according to KCNA. It was the first time for North Korea's media to refer to the name of the guest house.
At the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the embalmed bodies of Kim's grandfather and father -- Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il -- lie in state. Kim Il Sung is the founder of North Korea.
