At noon on June 8, 2026, local time, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un held a grand welcome ceremony for General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping.

Giant portraits of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries were suspended in the center of Kim Il Sung Square. Banners inscribed with “Long Live the Ever-Greening DPRK-China Friendship” and “Long Live the Unbreakable Unity of the DPRK-China Friendship” in both Chinese and Korean were particularly eye-catching on both sides. The national flags of the two countries fluttered in the wind, as the welcoming crowds were in high spirits, eagerly looking forward to the arrival.

As Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrived by car, a cavalry escort lined up to welcome them while the military band played welcoming tunes. Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju greeted Xi Jinping and his wife at the square. Xi Jinping and his wife, along with Kim Jong Un and his wife, shook hands with their respective accompanying personnel. The top leaders of the two parties and two countries jointly ascended the review stand as the military bands played the national anthems of China and the DPRK, with a 21-gun salute. Accompanied by Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping inspected the honor guard of the three services of the Korean People’s Army. Guardsmen shouted in Korean, “Wish Comrade Xi Jinping good health”. Afterward, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un watched the march-past together.

Dressed in festive attire, people from all walks of life in Pyongyang, along with children and teenagers, holding flags, flowers and balloons, chanted slogans of DPRK-China friendship and extended their sincere welcome to the distinguished Chinese guests with warm applause and cheers. Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un walked along the red carpet, waving to the welcoming crowds, children and teenagers.

At the conclusion of the welcome ceremony, colorful balloons bearing bilingual welcoming slogans in Chinese and Korean were released over the square. Afterward, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan went to the Kumsusan State Guesthouse by car. Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju personally saw them off at the guesthouse.

En route from the airport to Kim Il Sung Square and from Kim Il Sung Square to the Kumsusan State Guesthouse, people of the DPRK lined both sides of the streets, waving to welcome Xi Jinping’s arrival.

Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and other officials attended the relevant events.