China welcomed Donald Trump’s remarks on Monday, following the U. S. president’s offer to sit down with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Nov. 6 (UPI) — China welcomed Donald Trump ‘s remarks on Monday, following the U. S. president’s offer to sit down with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un .
Beijing’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular press briefing China welcomes all direct contact between Washington and Pyongyang, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.
« China hopes North Korea and the United States make direct contact, » Hua said. « As direct authorities on the Korean peninsula, dialogue and contact between North Korea and the United States would help talks and negotiation return to the right track. »
Hua also said all countries concerned with the North Korea nuclear issue should make an « active effort » to end the crisis.
« China welcomes words and actions that move in this direction, » the spokeswoman said.
On Sunday, Trump said ahead of his summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that he remains « open » to meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, during an interview on Sharyl Attkisson’s syndicated show Full Measure .
« I would sit with anybody I feel, » Trump said. « I don’t think it’s strength or weakness. I think sitting down with people is not a bad thing. So I would certainly be open to doing that. »
Ahead of Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week, China’s state tabloid Global Times slammed statements from Trump and Abe.
Trump and Abe had announced a « shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, » which includes the promotion of balanced trade « across the Indo-Pacific, by taking additional steps bilaterally to advance these objectives. »
China has been promoting a Beijing-led initiative to grow investment and trade in the region through its « One Belt, One Road » initiative.
« By providing security ties, the United States is trying to extract economic benefits from the Asia-Pacific alliance, » the Global Times stated.
Trump has said China has imposed « unfair » trade policies, but also said he has a good relationship with Xi, and called Xi a « friend » during a press conference in Tokyo on Monday.
