Mr Kim and Mr Xi in Beijing in March last year; the allies both face disputes with the Trump administrationi Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/APPresident Xi has arrived in North Korea for a two-day visit to rebuild an alliance that has strained over Pyongyang’s nuclear programme. He is expected to meet Kim Jong-un for talks and to pay tribute at the Friendship Tower, which commemorates Chinese troops who fought with North Koreans during the Korean War. It is the first time that a Chinese president has visited North Korea in 14 years. Although there will be no official announcements at the end of the visit its symbolism is clear as the historical allies seek to re-engage as they both face disputes with President Trump. The North Korean state newspaper Rodong Sinmun said that the trip would “engrave a new, enduring page in the history of DPRK-China friendship”, adding: “The…

Source: The Times June 20, 2019 08:03 UTC