PRESIDENT Xi Jinping called for restraint when dealing with North Korea during a telephone call with U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday.

Xi — in his second phone conversation with Trump since their summit this month — said China strongly opposed North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, which is in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, and hoped “all parties will exercise restraint and avoid aggravating the situation” on the Korean Peninsula.

“Only if all sides bear the responsibilities they’re supposed to bear and come together, can the nuclear issue on the peninsula be resolved as quickly as possible,” Xi said.

He said China is willing to work and make every effort with all parties to realize peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia and the world at large.

Xi also urged the working teams of China and the United States to strengthen coordination on a good preparation for Trump’s visit to China later this year.

Trump said he had a very good meeting with President Xi at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month, noting that he is also satisfied with the development of the two countries’ relations, and that he is respectful to the Chinese people.

Trump said that it is very important for the United States and China to keep close contact and maintain coordination on major issues.

The U.S. president expected to meet Xi again at an early date and looked forward to paying a state visit to China.

Trump also spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday.

Abe told reporters that they “had completely agreed to strongly seek self-restraint” from North Korea.

He said Japan had begun naval exercises with the USS Carl Vinson, an aircraft carrier leading a strike group into the region.

(SD-Xinhua)