Xi, Trump discuss North Korea, Syria

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday discussed the Korean Peninsula and Syria with his US counterpart Donald Trump over telephone, a media report said.

Xi said China sticks to the target of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and was committed to peace and stability in the region, Xinhua news agency reported.

The issue should be solved through peaceful means, said Xi, adding his country was ready to maintain communication and coordination with the US on the matter.

On Syria, Xi said any use of chemical weapons was unacceptable and that the path of political settlement should be followed.

He expressed the hope that the UN Security Council would speak in one voice as it was important for the world body to remain united on the issue.

He also said China and the US should promote economic cooperation, expand exchanges in military, law enforcement, cyber and people-to-people areas, enhance communication and coordination in major global and regional issues, through the newly established four-pronged dialogue mechanism.

In Wednesday's phone conversation, Trump said the meeting with Xi was a success. It was very important for the two Presidents to maintain close communication, he added.

Trump agreed that the two sides should work together to promote pragmatic cooperation in wide-ranging areas. He said he was looking forward to visiting China this year.