BEIJING — Officials here in China expressed optimism about this week’s talks between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, adding that if the process leads to de-escalation of military tensions, the U.S. should consider removing troops from the Korean Peninsula.

“A few months ago people were talking about war – a military strike,” said Counselor Yu Dunhai of the Chinese Foreign Ministry. “I think this time what’s different is we trust the two leaders, President Trump and Chairman Kim. This is something that most people thought would happen. They made it happen.”

Yu said that if the talks lead to a decreased nuclear threat from North Korea – the purpose for U.S. military officials being stationed in the region – then pulling U.S. troops should be on the table.

“If North Korea is no longer an issue, then what is the purpose of leaving the troops here?” Yu told American reporters, including one from the Herald, in Beijing this morning.

Trump, in a press conference Tuesday after the summit, said he would like to withdraw U.S. troops from South Korea “at some point” – but not now.

“We have right now 32,000 soldiers in South Korea, and I’d like to be able to bring them back home. But that’s not part of the equation right now,” Trump said.

According to the Pentagon, about 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea. Defense Secretary James Mattis told reporters earlier this month that the troops are “not going anywhere.”

Yu also said that China, which played a key role leading up to the talks, should also have a seat at the table as the United States and North Korea work with other nations including South Korea to hammer out the details of the plan, which includes a pledge by the U.S. to halt joint military drills with South Korea.

Yu said China supports ongoing talks – whether they are bilateral or multilateral – but China will be a major player regardless of the form.

Critics of Tuesday’s bilateral meeting in Singapore and the joint statement that followed cite the fact that North Korea has flouted past joint declarations, and that the word of the dictatorial leader cannot be trusted.

Yu said that while “it’s legitimate to have concerns,” China remains optimistic that the talks could lead to a successful end.

“I think we should give more encouragement to the process,” Yu said. “I believe all sides should support the process even if we have doubts.”

Meanwhile at a separate briefing yesterday, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang suggested that the U.N. Security Council should consider lifting sanctions against North Korea, China’s closest trade partner.

“Sanctions are not an end,” he said. “We believe the Security Council should make efforts to support the diplomatic efforts at the present time.”

Kimberly Atkins is traveling in China with a delegation of journalists hosted by the China-United States Exchange Foundation.