Xi, Kim meet in NE China over Korean Peninsula issue, bilateral ties

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Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with Kim Jong Un, the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for the second time since late March, as the situation on the Korean Peninsula heads towards more stability.

The two met on Monday and Tuesday in the city of Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province.

President Xi, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), spoke highly of the "positive progress" made on the Korean Peninsula after his previous meeting with DPRK leader Kim Jong Un in late March.

This is the second time the two leaders have met. Kim's previous trip to China – his first known foreign visit since coming to power in 2011 – saw him holding talks with President Xi in Beijing.

The unofficial meeting came a month before Kim's summit with the Republic of Korea (ROK) President Moon Jae-in, during which he stepped into the ROK side, becoming the first DPRK leader to ever do so since the Korean War.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with DPRK leader Kim Jong Un in Dalian, Liaoning Province, May 8, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Kim said the main goal of his visit was to inform Xi of the regional situation, ahead of a much-anticipated meeting between the DPRK leader and US President Donald Trump, expected to take place within weeks.

He also briefed Xi on the latest developments and Party building in his country, and said he hopes to strengthen strategic communication and cooperation with China, while deepening DPRK-China friendship, and promoting regional peace and stability.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un hold a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, March 28, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Xi, in response, showed willingness to meet Kim again, given the fact that the two countries share a traditional friendship going back to elder generations of leaders. He reinforced China's position – supporting DPRK's adherence to the denuclearization of the Peninsula, and backing dialogue and consultation efforts between the DPRK and the US to resolve the peninsula issue.

Talking about the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Xi said he and Kim had exchanged views and reached important consensus during their first meeting, which also saw them agreeing on four aspects to develop China-DPRK relations in the new era.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un meet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 28, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Xi also extended sincere gratitude to Kim for his great attention and earnest attitude demonstrated after a major road accident in the DPRK that resulted in casualties from the two countries.

Kim was welcomed by a banquet, and took a stroll with Xi. He later attended a luncheon.

Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, was present at related activities.

Other senior Chinese officials in attendance included members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

On the DPRK side, officials from the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea also participated, including Ri Su Yong, Kim Yong Chol and Ri Yong Ho.

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