White House Says China Informed US Of Kim's Trip
BEIJING (AP) — The White House says the Chinese government contacted them Tuesday to tell U.S. officials about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's visit to China.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the briefing included a "personal message from President Xi to President Trump," which was conveyed to the president. She did not say what that message entails.
She's stressing the U.S. has been in close contact with South Korea and Japan and sees the development "as further evidence that our campaign of maximum pressure is creating the appropriate atmosphere for dialogue with North Korea."
Trump earlier this month agreed to direct talks with Kim. Officials have yet to set a date.
China's official news agency is citing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as saying that Pyongyang is "determined" to improve ties with South Korea and "willing" to hold a summit with the U.S.
Xinhua News Agency said Kim told Chinese President Xi Jinping that North Korea is working to ease tensions and propose peace talks.
The report Wednesday followed Kim's brief visit to Beijing this week.