Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping returns to Beijing after visiting Friendship Tower, summit with Kim

시진핑, 우의탑 참배 후 귀국... 中외교부 "방북 우호적이고 성공적"

Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up his two-day state visit to North Korea today.
Though short, it definitely had a strong impact amid stalled nuclear negotiations between Pyeongyang and Washington as well as the ongoing U.S.-China trade war.
For more on how the second and final day of Xi's visit to Pyeongyang went, let's connect to our Oh Jung-hee who's joining us on the line from Seoul's unification ministry.
Jung-hee, so it seems the duo together visited the Friendship Tower in the regime's capital?
That's right, Daniel.
North Korea's Korean Central Television and China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported... that Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan visited the North Korea-China Friendship Tower with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol-ju.
Some key aides from Pyeongyang and Beijing accompanied their leaders as well.
This North Korea-China Friendship tower was built in 1959 to commemorate Chinese soldiers who died fighting in the Korean War.
Visiting the site, Kim and Xi both highlighted that they'll strengthen the two countries' friendship to further develop socialism.
Xi especially stressed on the need to push for peace and security in the region.
Jung-hee, it seems another meeting was held before the Chinese leader returned to Beijing.
Any details on that?
Well, according to Xinhua, Xi thanked Kim for the warm welcome he received, and once again emphasized that his country will provide help in finding a political solution to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.
Now that comes in line with Xi's comment the day before... when he said that he'll provide assistance within his capacity to address the North's security and development concerns.
Kim Jong-un thanked Xi's support and vowed to continue (quote)"intensive" bilateral exchanges with China.
So that's how Xi Jinping's first trip to North Korea as President... and the first visit by a Chinese leader to the North in 14 years... wrapped up.
Beijing's foreign ministry laid out its own assessment... that Xi's visit to Pyeongyang was (quote)"very amicable and successful"... and added North Korea and China will further strengthen strategic communication and economic exchanges.