Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in North Korea on Monday morning for a two-day official visit, marking the first visit by a Chinese president to the country in seven years.

The visit highlights the close relationship between China and North Korea, with Beijing remaining Pyongyang’s principal diplomatic, economic, and political supporter.

North Korea remains subject to sanctions imposed by the United Nations over its nuclear and missile programs, which prohibit the development of nuclear weapons and the use of ballistic missile technology.

Talks are expected to focus on bilateral cooperation as well as regional and security issues on the Korean Peninsula.