Calls Trump after latter warns to act against North Korea

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday urged Donald Trump to peacefully resolve raging tensions over North Korea’s nuclear programme after the U.S. President warned that Washington would “solve the problem” on its own if Beijing did not rein in its close ally.

Mr. Xi spoke over phone to Mr. Trump as a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Carl Vinson churned towards the Korean peninsula, raising regional tensions.

He said that China sticks to the target of the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and that China is committed to peace and stability of the peninsula.

China holds that the issue should be solved through peaceful means, said Mr. Xi, adding that Beijing is ready to maintain communication and coordination with the U.S. on the issue, the state media reported.

Reining in close ally

Mr. Trump has repeatedly called on China to do more to rein in its reclusive neighbour and close ally, which has stepped up its missile development and nuclear programme since 2016.

Mr. Xi’s phone call came after Mr. Trump turned to Twitter to vent his frustrations over North Korea’s provocative behaviour.

“I explained to the President of China that a trade deal with the U.S. will be far better for them if they solve the North Korean problem,” he had tweeted yesterday.

“North Korea is looking for trouble. If China decides to help, that would be great. If not, we will solve the problem without them! U.S.A.,” Mr. Trump had said in a second tweet.

North Korea is also reported to be preparing to test a nuclear weapon in the coming days.