Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a signed article in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DRPK)'s state newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Wednesday that China supports DPRK's "correct direction" in resolving the issue of the Korean Peninsula by political means. 

This was ahead of his state visit to the country from Thursday to Friday, at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK.   

In the article, President Xi said that the two countries will strengthen strategic communication and exchanges, adding that China will firmly support Kim's achievements in socialist construction by leading the WPK and the people through a new strategic route, focusing all his efforts on economic development and improving people's livelihoods. 

Xi emphasized cooperation between the two sides would be expanded and developed in civilian sectors, including education, culture, sports, tourism, youth and rural areas. 

Xi thus put forward several proposals to strengthen the bilateral ties, including enhancing strategic communication, stepping up dialogue and fortifying pragmatic cooperation.  

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of China-DPRK diplomatic ties, Xi commented that the visit is of great significance for efforts to build on past successes to further advance bilateral relationship. 

This will be the first visit to the DPRK by the top leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and China's head of state in 14 years, and also General Secretary Xi's first visit to the country since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012.