Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's leader Kim Jong Un. On Monday and Tuesday, the two leaders held talks in the city of Dalian, northeast China, discussing the peace process on the Korean Peninsula, and diplomatic ties in the new era. President Xi said China is willing to make a continuous effort to maintain long-term peace in the region. Ma Ke brings us the details.

As a vital stakeholder in the region, China is under the international spotlight for its frequent interactions with the DPRK.

The second meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un comes only forty days after they first met in Beijing in late March. It also follows Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Pyongyang last week.

During the two days of talks, President Xi and Kim discussed how to achieve long-term peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. President Xi said great progress has been made since their first meeting in March, and that he is willing to meet with the DPRK leader again, to talk more on regional stability.

Kim agreed by saying denuclearization has been the DPRK's goal, adding that Pyongyang does not have to hold on to its nuclear programs if there is no hostility or threat from other countries. The two also exchanged views on how to promote bilateral relations in the new era. The Chinese leader pointed out that China and the DPRK are socialist countries with the time-honored friendship. He said that the friendly and cooperative relationship is the only choice.

On the heels of Kim's trip to China, US President Donald Trump called President Xi Jinping on Tuesday to discuss the situations on the Korean Peninsula. They also discussed China-US trade tensions.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday, ahead of the highly anticipated meeting between Trump and Kim. Pompeo tweeted that he is visiting under the invitation of the DPRK leadership, and that he's there to iron out details of the upcoming summit. Pompeo is also set to discuss the situation of three detained US citizens. Ma Ke, CGTN.