China is willing to continue playing a positive role to seek a political resolution for the Korean Peninsula, the Chinese government's top diplomat, State Councilor Wang Yi, told North Korea's foreign minister as diplomatic efforts gather pace.
China is North Korea's most important economic and diplomatic backer, despite Beijing's anger at Pyongyang's repeated nuclear and missile tests and support for strong United Nations sanctions against the North.
However, China has also welcomed moves by North Korea to improve ties with South Korea and the United States.