North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is beginning a two-day visit to China, following his summit with Donald Trump in Singapore last week.

It is his third visit to China in as many months.

He has been expected to visit the country to brief Chinese President Xi Jinping on his meeting with the US president.

Although Chinese state media did not say if Mr Kim had already arrived in Beijing, a motorcade was seen leaving the city's airport and roads were closed off near the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, where senior Chinese officials meet visiting leaders.

It was expected that Mr Kim would meet senior Chinese officials to discuss halting his nuclear weapons programme in exchange for financial aide.


Image: Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump at the summit in Singapore

His summit with Mr Trump led to a suspension of US military exercises with South Korea and a signing of a communique indicating a desire for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

The US has long wanted China to use its influence with North Korea to end its nuclear weapons programme, but the relationship between the two superpowers is threatened by a deepening trade war.

The final pat: Trump-Kim power play

Mr Trump agreed to work with Mr Kim toward complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, committed to provide the North's regime with security guarantees and pledged to end "war games", which Pyongyang and Beijing have long seen as provocative.

China has welcomed the warming of ties between Washington and Pyongyang.

Beijing is particularly pleased by Mr Trump's announcement to suspend military drills.

Trump-Kim historic 13-second handshake

China has long pushed for a suspension under its "dual suspension" proposal, whereby North Korea stops weapons tests and the United States and South Korea stop military drills.

In a rare move, Chinese state media announced Mr Kim's visit and said he would stay for two days.

China has only confirmed previous visits after the North Korean leader had left the country.