Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang Tuesday morning on a three-day official visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. This is the start of his five-nation visit to the DPRK, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Yemen, and his first international visit since taking office earlier this year.

Our reporter Chen Xi has the details.

Reporter:

Xin Jinping is the first top Chinese leader to visit North Korea since Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the country in 2005.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said it is in both countries' interests to promote friendship and enhance regional stability.

"We expect leaders from the two countries to exchange views on bilateral ties and other issues of common concern, like the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. We also hope that this visit will promote the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK."

North Korea shares a border with China, and the two countries have long enjoyed a tradition of cooperation in politics, economics and culture, as well as in other regional and world affairs.

Regarding the cooperation on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue under the framework of the six-party talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said,

"By now, positive results have been reached for the first phase of six-party talks, under the joint efforts of all related sides. Now, all six parties are working hard to fully implement the tasks agreed upon in the second phase of the talks."

After concluding his visit to North Korea, Xin Jinping will head to Mongolia, China's northern neighbor with whom it shares the largest land border.

Since China and Mongolia established a good-neighbor partnership in June 2003, the two countries have greatly expanded cooperation in many fields. Now, China has become Mongolia's biggest trading partner and investor.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Xi Jinping will meet with Mongolia's top leaders during his visit to further expand bilateral communication and cooperation between the two countries.

Xi Jinping will also visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Yemen.


Yemen was one of the first Arabian countries to establish diplomatic relations with China, while Saudi Arabia has become China's largest trading partner and crude oil supplier in west Asia.

Chen Xi, CRI news.