Xi Jinping (R), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese president, holds talks with Kim Jong-un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on May 7-8. (Photo:Xinhua).

Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended related activities.

Xi held talks with Kim and hosted a welcome banquet for him. Together, they also took a stroll and attended a luncheon. In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries had an all-round and in-depth exchange of views on China-DPRK relations and major issues of common concern.

Their talks comes as tension on the Korean peninsula over DPRK's development of nuclear weapons eases ahead of what would be a historic meeting between Kim and US President Donald Trump, as soon as this month, according to the White House.

Kim, during his visit on May 7-8, told Xi he hoped relevant parties would take "phased" and "synchronised" measures to realise denuclearisation and lasting peace on the Korean peninsula.

Kim told Xi that the denuclearisation of the peninsula was DPRK's "constant and clear position", and that dialogue between DPRK and the United States could build mutual trust.

"China supports DPRK's upholding of denuclearisation on the peninsula, and supports DPRK and the United States resolving the peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation," Xi said.

DPRK state media said Kim was "very pleased" that the relationship with China was reaching a high point, and DPRK would cooperate with China more actively as the situation on the Korean peninsula changed.

The visit, part of a flurry of diplomatic engagement that has dramatically eased tension, follows Kim's recent historic summit with the Republic of Korea (RoK) counterpart Moon Jae-in.

It also followed Kim's dramatic train journey to Beijing in March, his first known trip abroad since assuming power in 2011.

Trump said on Twitter that he would speak with Xi by telephone on May 8 morning in Washington, calling the Chinese leader "my friend".

"The primary topics will be Trade, where good things will happen, and North Korea (DPRK), where relationships and trust are building," Trump said.

Kim used his official aircraft to make the short flight to Dalian, in what was his first international flight since assuming power.