Visit was the North Korean leader's first known trip to a foreign country since he took power after his father's death in late 2011
China has confirmed that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited Beijing, where he met Chinese president Xi Jinping and pledged his commitment to denuclearising the Korean peninsula.
中国已经证实,朝鲜领导人Kim Jong un访问了北京,他会见了中国国家主席习近平并且承诺朝鲜半岛无核化。
Confirming several reports over the last two days, Xinhua state news agency said that Kim had been in China on an "unofficial visit" from Sunday to Wednesday.
According to Xinhua, Kim told Xi that the situation on the Korean peninsula is "starting to get better." He said, "It is our consistent stand to be committed to denuclearisation on the peninsula, in accordance with the will of late President Kim Il-sung and late General Secretary Kim Jong-il."
据新华社,金告诉席,对朝鲜半岛的局势是"开始好起来了。"他说,"将按照已故总统金日成和已故的金正日总书记,致力于朝鲜半岛无核化的一贯立场,。"
Kim added that the issue of denuclearisation could be resolved if South Korea and the United States "respond to our efforts with goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability."
After years of provocations and missile tests, Pyongyang has made an unexpected effort in diplomacy recently. Kim's sister, Kim Yo-jong, led a delegation to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea last month that led to direct talks with South Korea.
Kim is expected to meet with South Korean president Moon Jae-in in April and hold a summit with US president Donald Trump possibly in May. On his visit to Beijing, Kim reportedly said he was willing to "have dialogue" with the United States.
预计金将在四月会见韩国总统文在寅,并可能在5月与美国总统唐纳德·特朗普举行峰会。据报道,金在访问北京时表示愿意与美国"对话"。
"This is a positive political signal that Pyongyang is ready for more dialogue," said Michael Kovrig, senior advisor for north-east Asia at the International Crisis Group, an independent conflict-prevention organisation.
这是一个积极的政治信号,平壤正在准备更多的对话,"Michael Kovrig说,在国际危机集团亚洲东北部的高级顾问,一个独立的预防冲突的组织。
"But the challenge will be creating the trust and conditions under which Kim would actually feel secure enough to denuclearise, while remaining vigilant on proliferation and deterrence. That won't be easy."
The White House said China had briefed the US on the visit on Tuesday and that Xi had sent Trump a personal message. "We see this development as further evidence that our campaign of maximum pressure is creating the appropriate atmosphere for dialogue with North Korea," the White House said in a statement.
The visit by Kim to Beijing also marks the North Korean leader's first trip to China since coming to power in 2011, as well as his first state visit. Kim had not been invited to Beijing nor had he met Xi before now.
Analysts believe China is eager not to be sidelined in any talks between North Korea and the US as well as with South Korea.
China is North Korea's closest ally, having fought with North Korea against the South during the Korean War, but relations have been strained as China has supported international sanctions against Pyongyang for its nuclear programme.
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