North Korean President Kim Jong-un made his first foreign trip, since assuming power in 2011, to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. They discussed the upcoming summit with US President Donald Trump and denuclearisation, Chinese state media reported.
Earlier in March, the White House announced that Trump had accepted an invitation to meet from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
According to state-owned China Central Television (CCTV), the three-day visit, which took place from Sunday to Wednesday, came at the invitation of Xi.
Moreover, the two sides thoroughly exchanged views on the global situation and the Korean Peninsula.
Xi stated that China views the changes taking place on the Korean Peninsula in 2018 as positive, adding that China is committed to the goal of denuclearising the peninsula, and solving problems through dialogue and consultation.
Kim said that the situation on the Korean Peninsula is starting to improve, as North Korea has taken the initiative to ease tensions and put forward proposals for peace talks. He expressed his determination to improve reconciliation efforts with the Republic of South Korea.
Kim added that the denuclearisation issue will be resolved if South Korea and the United States respond to North Korean efforts in good faith.
On the other hand, Trump tweeted on Wednesday that he received a message from the Chinese president regarding the visit. He added that Xi told him that his meeting with Kim went “very well” and that “KIM [sic] Looks [sic] forward to his meeting with me.” The American president also expressed optimism that the North Korean leader will act in his people’s best interests.
However, Trump said that sanctions on North Korea will remain in place for the time being.
