Kim says he wants to meet Xi

PYONGYANG, Sept. 9, 2018 (Xinhua) -- Li Zhanshu (L), special representative of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, presents a signed letter from Xi to Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Pyongyang, the DPRK, Sept. 9, 2018.(Xinhua/Li Tao/IANS)

Pyongyang,   North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has expressed a desire to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping soon in order to consolidate ties with the neighbouring country, state media reported on Monday.

Kim expressed his wish to Li Zhanshu, the number-three of the Chinese regime, who he met on Sunday in Pyongyang during a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of North Korea, according to the state run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Kim told Li that another meeting with Xi would help in further solidifying and deepening the special relation between the two countries, Efe news quoted KCNA as saying.

Li, who handed over a letter signed by Xi during the meeting, stressed Beijing’s desire to cement sustainable and stable ties regardless of the international situation.

The meeting underscores the recent improvement in the relations between the two countries after years of estrangement due to advances in the nuclear programme of North Korea, which heavily relies on its main ally China for trade.

Kim has visited China three times this year.