SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping says North Korea is taking the "right direction" by politically resolving issues on the Korean Peninsula in a rare op-ed published by a North Korean state newspaper a day ahead of Xi's visit to Pyongyang to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Xi didn't mention stalled nuclear weapons talks between Washington and Pyongyang in the Rodong Sinmun article Wednesday. He said that his visit would "strengthen strategic communication and exchange" between the traditional allies.

Xi will visit North Korea on Thursday and Friday. Kim met Xi four times in China last year during a diplomatic outreach that also involved meetings with the leaders of the United States and South Korea.