The Chinese Foreign Ministry says Beijing is holding the historic meeting between Moon and Kim in high regards.

HUA CHUNYING SPOKESPERSON, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY "We applaud the two leaders' historic step and appreciate their political decisions and courage. We hope this meeting will yield positive outcomes. As a Chinese poem says: 'We remain brothers after all the ups and downs; let's forgo our old grudges, smiling we will meet again.' We hope and look forward to them taking this opportunity to further open a new journey of long-term stability on the peninsula."

Other countries with high stakes have hailed this summit. Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe welcomed this move as a positive step, and said he expected Pyongyang to carry out its promises. The White House described the meeting as historic and extended good wishes to the Korean people.  Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said today was an opportunity for the DPRK to demonstrate verifiable steps towards denuclearization.  The Kremlin also said it welcomed any further steps that eased tensions and praised the summit as a positive development.