China approves second summit for North Korea-US

China’s President Xi Jinping has given his blessing for a second summit between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump, according to state media.

Xi said he hoped the leaders would ‘‘meet each other halfway’’, the Xinhua news agency reported, adding that China would play a constructive role to support North Korea and the US.

It followed a surprise meeting with the North Korean dictator in Beijing this week, during which Kim reportedly renewed his pledge to denuclearise.

It came as Moon Jae-in, South Korea’s president, yesterday pressed North Korea to take ‘‘bold, practical’’ action to make headway on denuclearisation and break an ongoing diplomatic deadlock with the US.

He also urged Washington to consider ‘‘corresponding measures’’ that could include declaring a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War, with a peace treaty replacing the present armistice.

Moon told reporters that he believed Kim’s Beijing visit had been a sign that a second face-to-face meeting with Trump may be imminent.

Kim consulted Xi both before and after last June’s Singapore summit.

‘‘The second North Korea-United States summit – to take place soon – and a reciprocal visit to Seoul by Chairman Kim Jong Un of North Korea will be . . . turning points that will solidify peace on the Korean Peninsula,’’ Moon said in his address to South Korea.

– Telegraph Group