Xi and Trump discuss possible Kim meeting

President Xi Jinping has told US President Donald Trump that China hoped Washington and Pyongyang will begin contacts and dialogue as soon as possible to achieve positive outcomes.

Xi made the comment in a phone conversation with Trump, and they had an in-depth exchange of views on the current situation of the Korean Peninsula and China-US relations, Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday night.

The planned summit between the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was announced on Thursday by Republic of Korea national security adviser Chung Eui-yong, who was in the US capital to brief officials on the DPRK-ROK talks held this week.

Xi told Trump that China also hopes all parties involved can show more goodwill, avoid actions that may affect and disturb the improving situation on the Korean Peninsula, and strive to maintain the current positive momentum.

The positive changes taking place are conducive to getting the peninsula’s denuclearization process back on track for settlement through dialogue, and are also in line with the direction outlined by United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding the DPRK, Xi said.

Xi hailed Trump’s proactive willingness to seek a political settlement of the peninsula issue.
Trump said that the US-DPRK high-level meeting, if held, would be a good thing for all parties, and he hopes the DPRK nuclear issue could be resolved eventually.

The stance upheld by Xi — that the US should have a dialogue with the DPRK — is correct, Trump said.

The US is very grateful to and attaches great importance to the important role of China on the peninsula issue and is willing to maintain close contacts and coordination with China, Trump added, according to Xinhua.

Xi said China is firmly committed to achieving the denuclearization of the peninsula, maintaining its peace and stability and upholding the idea of solving the issue through dialogue and consultation.

As long as all parties stay committed to the direction of political and diplomatic settlement, progress will surely be made in taking the peninsula issue in the direction expected by the international community, Xi said.

The two heads of state also exchanged views on China-US relations, Xinhua said.

Xi noted that he has been in close contact with Trump this year, and they both agreed that the working teams of both sides should work in the spirit of having no time to lose.

It is hoped that the two sides will work together on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, focus on cooperation and manage and control differences, promote win-win economic cooperation and push for greater progress of bilateral relations in the new year, Xi said.

Trump congratulated China on the successful convening of its annual two sessions. He said the US attaches great importance to US-China ties and bilateral cooperation.

Xi thanked Trump for his greetings and said the successful convening of the two sessions in China will provide a positive impetus for China’s development as well as the development of China’s relations with countries including the United States.

Contact the writer at zhangyunbi@ chinadaily.com.cn