Chinese President Xi Jinping will begin a two-day state visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday. This comes at the invitation of DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un. This is the first state visit by a Chinese leader to the DPRK in 14 years. It also comes as the two countries mark 70 years of diplomatic ties. During the trip, President Xi is scheduled to hold talks with Kim Jong Un and visit a monument commemorating the two countries' friendship.