North Korean leader Kim Jong Une arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, before a huge Chinese military parade on Wednesday, which will celebrate 80 years since the Japanese defeat that ended the Second World War.
Kim and his daughter Kim Ju Ae arrived around 4 p.m. on a green train lying with North Korean flags. They were met at Beijing by Cai who, the fifth highest official in China, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi.
This is the second trip of the North Korean leader abroad in six years and his first trip to China since 2019.
The event in Tiananmen Square should include troops walking in training, overflies of planes, exhibitions of military equipment and some 50,000 spectators.
But many eyes will be on the VIP audience, where Kim should rub shoulders with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, among others. Although Kim has bilaterally engaged with Xi and Putin in recent months, it will be their first gathering together.
Analysts say they will seek signs of strengthening the links between the three countries.
Earlier Tuesday, XI met Putin in the great people’s room, then again at his residence. This follows a summit on Monday in which Xi and Putin met leaders from more than 20 non -Western countries. Among them was Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, who discussed with Xi and Putin.
Includes agency reports France-Presse and Reuters.