The secret rendezvous: When Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping met

Updated: March 28, 2018 12:38:02 pm

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid a surprise visit to Chinese premier Xi Jinping on Tuesday. The "unofficial visit" to Beijing is Kim's first international visit since rising to power in 2011. The last visit made by a North Korean leader to China was by Kim's father, Kim Jong II, in 2011. He had visited five cities in China at the time. He was accompanied by his wife, Ri Sol-ju as well as senior advisers. (Photo via Reuters)

READ Kim Jong-Un meets Xi Jinping during ‘unofficial visit’ at Beijing’s Great Hall

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There had been intense speculation over Kim’s visit to China for the past three days, after trains heading to Beijing from the North East were delayed. (Express Photo)

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Kim is expected to meet US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-In in the coming months. His trip to Beijing is being seen as an attempt to consult with his ally before holding talks with Washington and Seoul. Kim is said to have told Xi he is open to talks with the US. (Photo via Reuters)

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and wife Ri Sol Ju, and Chinese President Xi Jinping and wife Peng Liyuan walk together. (Photo via Reuters)

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Xi has reportedly accepted an invitation to visit North Korea (Photo via Reuters)

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The two leaders reportedly held talks on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the present global scenario in which there is mounting pressure on North Korea to denuclearize (Photo via Reuters)

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Kim was quoted as saying that his country wants to transform ties with South Korea into "a relationship of reconciliation and cooperation" (Photo via Reuters)

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Relations between North Korea and China have been strained since Beijing increased UN sanctions by blocking essential supplies like oil and coal. The move came following pressure from Trump (Photo via Reuters)

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Kim and Xi held talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during which the two leaders reportedly hailed their nations' historic relations (Photo via Reuters)

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North Korean Presidents have a penchant for traveling in trains when travelling abroad. Kim reportedly arrived at Central Beijing station in a green coloured carriage train, similar to the one his father Kim Jong II travelled in. (Photo via Reuters)