Chinese president makes surprise visit to Alaska

China's President Xi Jinping made a surprise visit to Alaska on his way back to Beijing after a two-day summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida.

Alaska Governor Bill Walker took the opportunity to tout the state's efforts to build a major natural gas pipeline from the North Slope, reports local U.S. media.

Walker after meeting President Xi, said that Alaska can provide China with a new and reliable source of LNG (liquified natural gas), a strategic investment in the U.S. and an opportunity to participate in a regionally strategic infrastructure project.

He added that this project could address the balance of trade issue and provide a clean source of energy to China.

Acknowledging Alaska as an economic partner, President Xi said, "In the eyes of many of Chinese people, Alaska is a land that brings a lot of mystery in our minds and it is a place where our people like to go - it's like Shangri-la to us."

He said both leaders' interaction will serve as a good advertisement for Alaska.

"I believe there might be a boom of Chinese visitors traveling to your state as tourists, I will be happy to see that if that is true," Xi said.