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Kim Jong Un visits China — in pictures

The east Asian neighbours showed little sign of the strains that have characterised relations for years

In this March 26, 2018, photo, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping hold a glass for a toast during a banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. North Korea's leader Kim and his Chinese counterpart Xi sought to portray strong ties between the long-time allies despite a recent chill as both countries on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, confirmed Kim's secret trip to Beijing this week. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) — © AP

Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, makes historic trip to China

REFILE - ADDING CITY North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju are seen near a train as he paid an unofficial visit to Beijing, China, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang March 28, 2018. KCNA/via Reuters ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. NOT FOR USE BY REUTERS THIRD PARTY DISTRIBUTORS. SOUTH KOREA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SOUTH KOREA. — © Reuters

Journey’s end Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju arrive by train in Beijing

epa06631428 A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldier gestures to stop a photographer from taking pictures outside the North Korean embassy in Beijing, China, 27 March 2018. Foreign media reports that a high-ranking North Korean official may be visiting China ahead of Pyongyang's planned summits with Seoul and Washington. EPA/WU HONG — © EPA

No pictures: A Chinese soldier defends the North Korean embassy from photographers

TOPSHOT - This video grab taken from footage released by China Central Television (CCTV) on March 28, 2018 shows North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (L) and his wife Ri Sol Ju (R) waving goodbye as they depart by car following a meeting with China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week. Kim told Xi that it was his "solemn duty" to make Beijing his first overseas destination as he made his maiden foreign trip as leader, Pyongyang's official news agency reported on March 28. / AFP PHOTO / CCTV / CCTV / - China OUT / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / CCTV" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTSCCTV/AFP/Getty Images — © AFP

Homeward bound The North Korean couple bid farewell after a meeting with Xi Jinping, China’s president

epa06633533 An undated photo released on 28 March 2018 by the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the state news agency of North Korea, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (L) shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) during a visit to China. According to the North Korean media, Kim Jong-un visited China from 25 to 28 March at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. EPA/KCNA EDITORIAL USE ONLY — © EPA

Helping hand Mr Kim and Mr Xi strike a pose for the cameras before their talks

epa06633682 An undated photo released on 28 March 2018 by the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the state news agency of North Korea, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C-L) and his wife Ri Sol-ju (L) walking with Chinese President Xi Jinping (C-R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (R) during their meeting in China. According to the North Korean media, Kim Jong-un visited China from 25 to 28 March at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. EPA/KCNA EDITORIAL USE ONLY — © EPA

Power couples Mr Kim with Ms Ri, left, with Mr Xi and Peng Liyuan, his wife

epa06633537 An undated photo released on 28 March 2018 by the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the state news agency of North Korea, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C-L) and his wife Ri Sol-ju (L) meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (C-R) and his wife Peng Liyuan as they visit the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China. According to the North Korean media, Kim Jong-un visited China from 25 to 28 March at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. EPA/KCNA EDITORIAL USE ONLY — © KCNA/EPA

Tea time The North Korean couple join their Chinese hosts for a break at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and wife Ri Sol Ju, and Chinese President Xi Jinping and wife Peng Liyuan pose for a photo, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang March 28, 2018. KCNA/via Reuters ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. NOT FOR USE BY REUTERS THIRD PARTY DISTRIBUTORS. SOUTH KOREA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SOUTH KOREA. — © Reuters

Honoured guests: China rolls out the red carpet for the North Korean dictator and his wife

This picture from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) taken on March 26, 2018 and released on March 28, 2018 shows China's President Xi Jinping (R) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (L) raising their glasses at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was treated to a lavish welcome by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a secretive trip to Beijing as both sides seek to repair frayed ties ahead of landmark summits with Seoul and Washington. / AFP PHOTO / KCNA VIA KNS / - / South Korea OUT / REPUBLIC OF KOREA OUT ---EDITORS NOTE--- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO/KCNA VIA KNS" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS THIS PICTURE WAS MADE AVAILABLE BY A THIRD PARTY. AFP CAN NOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, LOCATION, DATE AND CONTENT OF THIS IMAGE. THIS PHOTO IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY AFP. / -/AFP/Getty Images — © AFP

Toast with the host Mr Kim and Mr Xi raise their glasses at the Great Hall of the People

This image released on March 28, 2018, by the North Korean Official News Service (KCNA), shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a visit to Beijing, China, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The North Korean leader expressed commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula while reaffirming bilateral ties with China. Kim was joined by his wife Ri Sol-ju and top regime officials on the four-day visit. Photo by KCNA/UPIPHOTOGRAPH BY UPI / Barcroft Images — © UPI/Barcroft Images

First class A glimpse inside the armoured luxury train favoured by North Korean dictators

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