Xi and Kim, along with top officials from their countries, met at Beijing`s Great Hall of the People, a day after Kim attended a Chinese military parade alongside other foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin

Kim is making a rare trip outside North Korea

Xi highlighted the "traditional friendship" between China and North Korea and pledged to consolidate and boost relations, according to a readout of their statements published by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on Thursday

"This position will not change regardless of how the international situation evolves," Xi told Kim, according to CCTV

North Korea`s official Korean Central News Agency said on Friday that the leaders discussed increasing high-level visits and contacts as well as strengthening strategic cooperation and protecting shared interests in international and regional affairs

It said Kim left Beijing by his private train on Thursday evening after his meeting with Xi

China has been North Korea`s biggest trading partner and aid provider, though questions have lingered about the strength of their bilateral relationship

In recent years, Kim`s foreign policy has focused heavily on Russia. He has sent combat troops and ammunition to back Russia`s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in return for economic and military assistance

At a meeting with Kim in Beijing after the parade, Putin praised the bravery of North Korean soldiers in the fighting