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General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese President Xi Jinping became the first foreign leader to be honored with a salute at the highly symbolic square of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang on Thursday, when he arrived for a state visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).



After attending a grand welcome ceremony at the Sunan International Airport following his arrival, Xi departed from the airport with his motorcade being escorted by 21 motorcycles. Hundreds of thousands of people lined up along the way, waving flags and flowers and chanting "Long Live the China-DPRK Friendship" and other slogans to show their welcome.



After arriving at the Ryomyong Street in downtown Pyongyang, Xi changed to an open-top vehicle and rode with Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, to the square of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.



Throngs of people gathered on both sides of the street, cheering and saluting the guest of honor from China. The two leaders frequently waved to the welcoming crowds.



At the square, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan, in the company of Kim and his wife Ri Sol Ju, received the salute of WPK and government officials as well as representatives of Pyongyang citizens.



Xi was the first foreign leader to be honored with such a salute at the highly symbolic site, which fully demonstrated the hospitality and respect of the host.



After the activity, Xi and Peng took a car for the guest house.



The DPRK visit, Xi's first as CPC chief and Chinese head of state and also the first of its kind in 14 years, came as the two neighboring countries are celebrating the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.



In a signed article published Wednesday in the DPRK's mainstream media, Xi said he stands ready to work with Kim to chart the future course of China-DPRK relations and open a new chapter for the two countries' traditional friendship.



