Xi says political settlement key for nuclear issue

President Xi Jinping said China hopes the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will meet halfway, mutually respect each other and make further unwavering efforts in seeking a political settlement to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Xi made the remark in a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday night in Beijing.

Tuesday's historic meeting in Singapore between US President Donald Trump and DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un has achieved positive outcomes and is a key step toward the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue, Xi said.

China extends heartfelt congratulations to both parties, he said.

The peninsula issue is intricate, and resolving the issue is surely an incremental process, Xi said.

China remains committed to the peninsula's denuclearization, firmly safeguarding its peace and stability, and upholds settling the issue through dialogue, Xi said.

China is ready to further play a positive and constructive role, and push for the issue's political settlement together with all parties involved, including the US, Xi added.

Pompeo said Washington appreciates the important role China plays in politically settling the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, and the US is ready to work with China toward the peninsula's denuclearization and its lasting peace.

An unnamed senior US official told AFP on Thursday that major military drills between the US and the Republic of Korea on the Peninsula have been "suspended indefinitely".