China on Monday welcomed as "constructive" the historic meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the demilitarised zone (DMZ) dividing the Korean peninsula, saying their interaction yielded positive outcomes.
Trump stepped onto North Korean soil on Sunday and met Kim in the DMZ, becoming the first sitting US president to cross over the line diving the South and North Koreas.
The two leaders agreed to set up teams to resume stalled nuclear talks.
This was their third encounter. Their previous meetings at Singapore and Hanoi failed to bring about a breakthrough to end North Korea's nuclear programme which lead to the imposition of heavy sanctions by the UN.
Asked for comments on Trump-Kim meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told the media that China welcomed the meeting.
"The two leaders had a friendly meeting which should be welcomed. Their constructive meeting yielded positive outcomes," he said.
Both leaders walked past the DMZ line between the South and North Korea, Geng said.
"The meeting is important specifically for the US and both Koreas to discuss re-starting working-level consultations in the near future," he said, adding that China welcomes and supports that move.
Trump's meeting with Kim followed last month's surprise visit of President Xi Jinping to North Korea, the first by a Chinese leader in 14 years. Trump had accused Xi in the past of influencing Kim in the finalisation of the deal for de-nuclearisation of Korean Peninsula.