On Wednesday, China said that it secured a commitment from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to denuclearize the Korean peninsula during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In return, Xi reportedly pledged to uphold China’s close relationship with North Korea during Kim’s visit to China which lasted from Sunday to Wednesday, Reuters reported.
“It is our consistent stand to be committed to denuclearization on the peninsula, in accordance with the will of late President Kim Il Sung and late General Secretary Kim Jong Il,” Kim said, according to Xinhua.
“The issue of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can be resolved, if South Korea and the United States respond to our efforts with goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability while taking progressive and synchronous measures for the realization of peace,” Kim continued.
Xi said that the decision was a “strategic choice and the only right choice both sides have made based on history and reality, the international and regional structure and the general situation of China-DPRK ties.”
“We are ready to make joint efforts with the DPRK side, conform to the trend of the times, hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, continuously improve the well-being of the two peoples, and make positive contribution to regional peace, stability and development,” Xi continued.
This latest development comes as President Trump is expected to meet with Kim in the next couple of months to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
A new CNN poll released on Tuesday showed that nearly two-thirds of Americans approve of President Trump’s plan to meet with Kim, as “The shift in tone between the White House and the North Korean regime seems to have eased Americans’ fears about the threat North Korea poses to the US.”
This is a breaking news story, check back for updates…
