China’s Xi Jinping backs second US-North Korea summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping has told Kim Jong-un that Beijing supports a second summit between the North Korean leader and US President Donald Trump, adding that he hopes they "meet each other halfway", according to state media.

The report on Thursday came a day after Kim concluded an unannounced two-day trip to China, North Korea's major diplomatic ally and primary source of aid and trade.

Trump and Kim first met last June, but progress over denuclearisation has since stalled.

Xi also said China would be ready to play a "positive and constructive role" towards maintaining peace and achieving denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula, reported Xinhua.

Kim made what is believed to be his first official trip outside North Korea to China last year, even before meeting South Korea's President Moon and Trump. The recent visit is Kim's fourth to China in less than a year.

During his three-day visit to China, Kim and his wife Ri Sol-Ju were welcomed by Xi and his wife with a banquet and an art performance. He also visited a pharmaceutical plant specializing in Chinese medicine.

Xi accepted an offer to visit North Korea, state media said. It is still unclear when this would take place.

At a landmark summit in Singapore last year, Kim and Trump signed a vaguely-worded pledge on denuclearisation. But progress has since stalled with Pyongyang and Washington - which stations 28,500 troops in South Korea - disagreeing over what that means.

The US insists that United Nations sanctions must remain in place until North Korea gives up its weapons, while Pyongyang wants them eased immediately.

It is not clear when or where a possible second Kim-Trump summit would take place, though South Korean president Moon Jae-in has said it will happen "soon".