Chinese President Hu Jintao, front left, is greeted by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il after arriving in Pyongyang, Friday

China's president is making a rare visit to Pyongyang for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

State-controlled media from both nations say Mr. Kim greeted Chinese President Hu Jintao on the airport tarmac Friday, as he arrived on a three-day visit.

On arrival, Mr. Hu delivered a statement saying "the China-North Korea friendship is conducive to safeguarding peace and stability and promoting development and prosperity in the region".

Mr. Hu's trip precedes the next round of six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear ambitions, set to take place in Beijing early next month. It is unclear if the nuclear issue is on the agenda during Mr. Hu's current visit.

During last month's six-nation talks, North Korea agreed to abandon its nuclear weapons program. But Pyongyang later said it first wants light-water nuclear reactors for civilian energy production.