North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits China in 3rd trip abroad
He visited Beijing in March and South Korea last month.
HONG KONG -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in northern China, Chinese state media reported today.
Kim met with the Chinese leader Monday and today in Dalian, China, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Kim arrived in China Monday, stayed one night and returned to the North's capital, Pyongyang, South Korea's presidential office said.
Xi held talks with Kim Monday after his arrival and then hosted a welcome dinner, Xinhua reported. They continued their summit today with a seaside walk and a luncheon, according to the state news agency.
The two leaders "had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views" on bilateral relations "and major issues of common concern," Xinhua reported.
Kim told Xi that "as long as relevant parties [namely the United States] eliminate the hostile policy and security threats against North Korea, North Korea does not need to have nuclear weapons, and denuclearization is achievable," Chinese state media reported.
Kim's visit marked his third known trip abroad since taking power in North Korea in 2011. He visited Beijing in March and South Korea last month.
Keeping in line with previous Chinese summits with North Korean leaders, including with both Kim's father and grandfather, the news of Kim's visit was not announced until his return to Pyongyang.
Kim expressed hope that trust would be established by the upcoming summit between him and President Donald Trump and that "relevant sides would take phased and synchronous measures in a responsible manner so as to comprehensively advance the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue and eventually achieve denuclearization and lasting peace on the peninsula," Xinhua reported.
Xi commended Kim in making "active efforts to promote the ease of dialogue on the Peninsula" and having "achieved positive results,” according to Xinhua.
Xi also expressed his gratitude to Kim Jong Un for his response and personal attention in the aftermath of a deadly tour bus accident in North Korea last month that killed 32 Chinese tourists and four North Koreans, according to Chinese state media.
Rumors had swirled since Monday evening that the security level had been increased in the coastal Chinese city of Dalian, which is across the bay from North Korea. A North Korea plane was photographed by the Japanese media at the Dalian International Airport and both the Japanese and South Korea media reported that a "high level" North Korean official was holding a summit with Xi.
Xi was scheduled to be in Dalian this week to attend the inaugural sea-trials for China's first domestically built aircraft carrier.
Then shortly before its national 7 p.m. newscast today, Xinhua reported that Xi had just wrapped up a two-day summit with Kim.
ABC News' Joohee Cho contributed reporting from Seoul, South Korea.