China's defense minister visits Pyongyang

PYONGYANG, North Korea, April 4 (UPI) -- Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan arrived in Pyongyang Tuesday for a three-day visit, invited by the head of North Korea's armed forces, Xinhua reported.

Cao was greeted at the airport by Kim Jong Gak, vice minister of the People's Armed Forces, the North Korean Central News Agency said.

He was later met by Kim Il Chol, the armed forces minister, at the Monument to Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War, Xinhua said.

Chinese troops fought alongside North Korean troops during the 1950-53 Korean War, launched by the North against the South. North Korea reverses the historical events and claims that it won the war after driving back U.S. invaders.

Beijing is Pyongyang's only remaining ally. It is also host to the six-party talks aimed at convincing North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program, which have been stalemated since November.

Cao will also pay "official and friendly" visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea, at the invitation of each country's defense minister, Xinhua reported Tuesday.