COMRADE XI JINPING ARRIVES IN PYONGYANG, DPR OF KOREA

At the invitation of Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and president of the People's Republic of China (PRC), arrived in Pyongyang by his personal plane Thursday to pay a state visit to the DPRK.

Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un greeted him at Pyongyang International Airport.

Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju came out to the airport.

Present there were Pak Pong Ju, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, vice-chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and vice-chairman of the WPK Central Committee, and Ri Man Gon, Ri Su Yong, Choe Hwi, Kim Yong Chol, Ri Yong Ho and Kim Yo Jong, senior Party and government officials, and Ji Jae Ryong, DPRK ambassador to China.

Kim Su Gil, Ri Yong Gil, No Kwang Chol and other commanding officers of the Korean People's Army (KPA) were on hand.

Ambassador Li Jinjun and staff members of the Chinese embassy here were seen at the airport.

At 12:00, Kim Jong Un had an emotional meeting with Xi Jinping.

Kim Jong Un warmly took hands of Xi Jinping and exchanged friendly greetings with him.

Giving his impression of the long-desired visit to Pyongyang, Xi Jinping expressed heartfelt thanks to the Korean people for the grand welcome.

Arriving together with him were Ding Xuexiang, member of the Political Bureau, member of the Secretariat and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, Wang Yi, state councilor and foreign minister of the PRC, He Lifeng, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the National Development and Reform Committee, Song Tao, head of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, Zhong Shan, minister of Commerce of PRC, Miao Hua, director of the Political Affairs Department of the Central Military Commission of the PRC, and other entourage.

Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan were presented with bouquets by children.

Kim Jong Un introduced to Xi Jinping the leading officials of the Party and the government and the commanding officers of the KPA who came to greet him.

Kim Jong Un exchanged greetings with Chinese side's suite members.

A welcoming ceremony took place.

Xi Jinping, guided by Kim Jong Un, reviewed the guard of honor of the KPA.

Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping mounted the stand to see the march-past of the guard of honor of the KPA.

Xi Jinping, together with Kim Jong Un, waved back to the enthusiastically cheering children, schoolchildren and masses.

The car carrying Xi Jinping headed for the Kumsusan State Guest House, lodging quarters, escorted by motorcycles.

Pyongyangites warmly welcomed Xi Jinping along the route of various places including Sunan District, Ryonmot-dong, Ryonghung Crossroads and the plaza of the April 25 House of Culture.

Kim Jong Un, together with Xi Jinping, transferred into an open limousine at Ryonghung Crossroads.

Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping warmly waved back to the citizens.

The open limousine carrying the top leaders of the DPRK and China arrived at the plaza of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun through Ryomyong Street crowded with the welcoming citizens.

Xi Jinping was greeted by Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, first vice-chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Kim Jae Ryong, member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, member of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and premier of the Cabinet, and other senior Party and government officials and leading officials of the Party and power organs of the capital city.

Women artistes presented bouquets to Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan.

Kim Jong Un introduced to Xi Jinping the cadres of the Party and government.

There were seas of graceful dances of the masses amid the nimble rhythmic rendition of the women's brass band at the plaza.

The car carrying the top leaders of the two countries left the plaza of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to arrive at the Kumsusan State Guest House amid the warm welcome by the citizens with the flags of the two countries and bunches of flowers in their hands.

The employees of the Kumsusan State Guest House presented bouquets to Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan.

Kim Jong Un, together with his wife Ri Sol Ju, personally guided Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan to the lodging quarters and had a pleasant chat.