China says it’s working closely with US on North Korea nukes

After US President Donald Trump accused China of interfering in talks between Pyongyang and Washington in a tweet on July 9, China Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou said Beijing was committed to progress in North Korea’s denuclearisation.

A senior Chinese official is striking a reassuring note about Beijing’s commitment to progress in North Korea’s denuclearisation, after US President Donald Trump accused China of interfering in talks between Pyongyang and Washington.

US President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un shake hands following a signing ceremony during their historic US-North Korea summit in Singapore on June 12. On July 12,Trump released a letter from Kim Jong-Un, in which the North Korean leader voices confidence in efforts to end their nuclear standoff while urging the US leader to take "practical steps" to build trust. (AFP)

Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou told reporters on Friday that China and the US have “maintained close coordination and communication” on the issue.

Acknowledging that the process “will not be plain sailing,” Kong says he believed that if talks are held candidly and on an equal basis, with mutual respect, “all the questions will find the right answers.”

On Monday, Trump tweeted that China “may be exerting negative pressure” on North Korea because of an escalating trade dispute between the US and China. But he tweeted, “Hope Not!”