Chinese state media have quoted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as telling Chinese President Xi Jinping that his country remains committed to denuclearisation and has no need to possess nuclear weapons if a "relevant party" drops its "hostile policy and security threats" against it, in a clear reference to the United States.
"I hope to build mutual trust with the U.S. through dialogue," Kim was quoted as saying. He said a political resolution of tensions on the Korean Peninsula and denuclearisation should proceed in stages, with all sides moving in concert.
The U.S. government has demanded that North Korea immediately commit to denuclearisation.
"At a crucial time when the regional situation is developing rapidly, Kim said he came to China again to meet with (Xi) and inform him of the situation," the official Xinhua News Agency quoted Kim as telling Xi.
State media said the two leaders met Monday and Tuesday in Dalian, a northern Chinese port city.
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Mr Kim said he was very pleased his country's relationship with China had reached a high point, North Korean state media said on Tuesday.
The North Korean leader met last month with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and is preparing for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, possibly as early as this month.
President Donald Trump said he will speak Tuesday with his Chinese counterpart.
Mr Trump tweeted that they will discuss trade, an area where he says "good things will happen." He says they'll also discuss North Korea, where he says "relationships and trust are building."
The US leader said last week the time and place will be announced soon. He meets at the White House on May 22 with Moon.
