Senior Chinese diplomat meets N. Korean leader in Pyongyang

The Chinese government’s top diplomat, State Councilor Wang Yi has met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. Wang is currently visiting Pyongyang, Reuters reported. Beijing is willing to continue playing a positive role to seek a political resolution for the Korean peninsula, Wang told North Korea’s Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho, according to the statement. China is North Korea’s most important economic and diplomatic backer. However, Beijing has also welcomed moves by Pyongyang to improve ties with South Korea and the United States. On Wednesday, Wang was reported to have offered the North Korean foreign minister his congratulations on the successful meeting between the leaders of the North and South. China fully supports Pyongyang’s commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.