Chinese Premier Li Qiang led a delegation to Pyongyang on the 9th to begin a friendly visit and attend celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea. Li Qiang stated that China is willing to implement the consensus reached by the top leaders of both parties.
China-North Korea relations have recently improved. During the 70th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea in 2015, Liu Yunshan, a member of the CCP Politburo Standing Committee, led the Chinese delegation; this time, the level of the delegation has been upgraded. This also marks the first visit to North Korea by a Chinese Premier in 16 years, with the last visit being by Premier Wen Jiabao in October 2009.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Li Qiang arrived at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport by chartered plane at noon local time on the 9th. Kim Tok Hun, member of the Workers' Party of Korea Political Bureau Standing Committee and Premier of the Cabinet, led senior party and government officials to the airport to greet him, and held a welcome ceremony for Li Qiang. Li Qiang, accompanied by Kim Tok Hun, reviewed the honor guard. Chinese Ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun also greeted him at the airport.