Chinese state media provide lavish coverage of Xi's trip to Pyongyang

SEOUL, June 9 (AJP) - Chinese state media on Tuesday gave extensive coverage to Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea, as he began his first trip to the reclusive country in about seven years the previous day.

Highlighting a friendly atmosphere between the two traditional allies, China's state-run People's Daily devoted its front pages to stories on Xi's trip, packed with images of Xi and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un smiling, shaking hands at their summit in Pyongyang and attending a banquet and other events.

The paper also reported that Xi's piece, published on the front page of North Korea's official newspaper Rodong Sinmun, drew an enthusiastic response there.

However, the article, contributed by Xi to coincide with his visit to Pyongyang, made no mention of North Korea's denuclearization, contrary to U.S. statements that Beijing and Washington agreed to denuclearize the North during Xi's summit with President Donald Trump in Beijing last month.

Chinese state-run broadcaster China Central Television also provided full coverage of Xi's visit, devoting much of its programming to detailed footage of Xi and his wife's arrival at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, a red carpet event, and a motorcade, with Kim making a rare appearance to welcome Xi at the airport, as well as Pyongyang residents cheering and waving flags, balloons, and bouquets.
  Meanwhile, Xi began his second day by paying respects at a hilltop tower in central Pyongyang, a symbol of friendship in bilateral ties, as it commemorates Chinese soldiers who fought in the Korean War (1950–1953).

Xi is expected to hold another round of talks with Kim before wrapping up his two-day visit later in the day.