US and China to co-operate to prevent further missile tests by North Korea

Mr Obama met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a nuclear summit in Washington on Thursday. Zheng Zeguang, China’s assistant foreign minister, said the presidents had a “candid and in-depth exchange of views on a variety of issues…and reached an important consensus”. He called the meeting “positive, constructive and fruitful”.

China and the United States will work together to try to prevent further missile tests by North Korea, US President Barack Obama says.

In recent weeks, North Korea has carried out a hydrogen bomb test and repeatedly test-fired missiles.

Mr Obama said he and Mr Xi were seeking to agree “how we can discourage action like nuclear missile tests that escalate tensions and violate international obligations”.

Mr Xi, quoted by China’s state news agency Xinhua, said it was critical all parties “fully and strictly” implemented newly-agreed sanctions. China is North Korea’s closest ally and largest trading partner.