Premier Li returns to Beijing from DPRK

Chinese Premier Li Qiang returned to Beijing on Saturday aboard a chartered plane after attending the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and paying an official goodwill visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Li's entourage, including State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Wu Zhenglong, returned by the same flight.

When leaving Pyongyang, Li was seen off at the airport by Pak Thae Song, premier of the cabinet of the DPRK and presidium member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK, and Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wang Yajun.

Premier Li returns to Beijing from DPRK

Premier Li returns to Beijing from DPRK

Oil prices climbed on Friday.

The West Texas Intermediate for February delivery gained 25 cents, or 0.42 percent, to settle at 59.44 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for March delivery added 37 cents, or 0.58 percent, to settle at 64.13 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

Crude futures settle higher