Xi gets red carpet welcome in Pyongyang with state ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a state ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Monday, welcomed by a 21-gun salute.

Large portraits of Xi and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un were displayed in the center of the square, flanked by banners reading "the China-North Korea friendship will last forever" and "Long live the friendship and unity between the peoples of China and the DPRK," China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.

A cavalry honor guard began its review as the vehicle carrying Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, arrived at the square. Kim and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, greeted the Chinese delegation there. The two leaders reviewed an honor guard together as the members of the guard shouted, "Comrade Xi Jinping, we wish you good health," in Korean.

After the ceremony, Xi and Peng traveled to the Kumsusan Guesthouse, where they are staying during the visit, accompanied by Kim and Ri. During Xi's previous visit in 2019, the welcome ceremony was held at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the bodies of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong-il lie in state.

The current leader and his wife also personally welcomed their Chinese counterparts when the Air China aircraft arrived at Pyongyang International Airport around noon, Xinhua reported. The two leaders shook hands after Xi and Peng disembarked and a North Korean child presented them with a bouquet of flowers.

Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of the North Korean leader, did not appear at either the airport reception or the welcome ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square.

The airport terminal was decorated with large North Korean and Chinese flags, along with banners bearing messages such as "Warmly welcome, Comrade Xi Jinping." A red carpet had been laid out on the runway before Xi's arrival.

Peng's participation in the trip also drew attention, as it marked her first overseas visit with Xi in two years.

She had not accompanied him on any foreign trips since his visits to France, Serbia and Hungary between May 5 and 11 of 2024. She was absent during Xi's state visit to South Korea in October of last year and didn't attend a state banquet during U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China in May.

However, Peng held a separate tea meeting with first lady Kim Hea Kyung during President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to China in January. Her absence from Trump's state banquet prompted speculation that she deliberately stayed away because first lady Melania Trump was not part of the U.S. delegation.

BY SHIN KYUNG-JIN [[email protected]]