China is North Korea’s only major ally, although trade has plummeted in recent months as Beijing enforces United Nations economic sanctions in response to the North’s nuclear bomb and ballistic missile tests.
Kim met with South Korean President Moon Jae In last month, and is expected to hold an historic summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, possibly before the end of the month.
China has been eager to assert its importance in the process of lowering
tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
It was not known how long the Xi-Kim meeting had been planned or why Dalian was chosen. Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post newspaper cited two unidentified sources as saying that Xi had flown to Dalian on the coast east of Beijing to preside over the official launch of sea trials for China’s first entirely self-built aircraft carrier.
Chinese internet users posting on social media described heavy security in the city and extensive flight delays on Monday. Others said they spotted a set of Red Flag limousines used by state leaders.
As with Kim’s March visit to Beijing, his presence in Dalian was not
officially confirmed until he had left China. Reports said his jet flew out of Dalian airport on Tuesday afternoon.
Source:httpthe-japan-news.com