President Xi Jinping greets US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Great Hall of People in Beijing late on Thursday. Xi stressed Beijing's support for further cooperation between Washington and Pyongyang. (FENG YONGBIN / CHINA DAILY)
Xi says political settlement key for nuclear issue
President Xi Jinping said China hopes the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will meet halfway, mutually respect each other and make further unwavering efforts in seeking a political settlement to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.
Xi made the remark in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday night in Beijing.
Tuesday's historic meeting in Singapore between U.S. President Donald Trump and DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un has achieved positive outcomes and is a key step toward the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue, Xi said.
China extends heartfelt congratulations to both parties, he said.
The peninsula issue is intricate, and resolving the issue is surely an incremental process, Xi said.
China remains committed to the peninsula's denuclearization, firmly safeguarding its peace and stability, and upholds settling the issue through dialogue, Xi said.
China is ready to further play a positive and constructive role, and push for the issue's political settlement together with all parties involved, including the U.S., Xi added.
Pompeo said Washington appreciates the important role China plays in politically settling the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, and the U.S. is ready to work with China toward the peninsula's denuclearization and its lasting peace.
An unnamed senior U.S. official told AFP on Thursday that major military drills between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea on the Peninsula have been "suspended indefinitely".
Speaking on China-U.S. ties, Xi said China and the U.S. should enhance communication, increase mutual trust, manage and control differences and expand cooperation.
It is hoped the U.S. cautiously and properly handles sensitive issues, such as the Taiwan question and trade frictions, and prevents major turbulence in bilateral relations, Xi said.
An important lesson taken from the relationship is that the two countries should always correctly view the strategic intention of each other, and show respect and care for the core interests and major concerns of each other, Xi said.
The two countries should enhance high-level exchanges and institutional dialogues, and strengthen communication and coordination over major international, regional and global issues, Xi said.
Pompeo met with Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in in Seoul earlier in the day before he flew to Beijing.
