China says Xi and Trump discussed Korean tensions

(16 Jan 2018) China on Tuesday defended its search and rescue efforts after an Iranian tanker sank in the East China Sea, leaving an oil spill which could have a major impact on the marine environment there. Speaking at a regular briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Chinese search and rescue efforts began the day the ship sank. Kang also stated that "China has offered coordination to the Iranian side to the best of our ability" in response to criticism of its rescue efforts apparently made by a spokesperson for the National Iranian Oil Tanker Company which has been quoted in Iranian media. He added that accusations China has not done enough are "irresponsible and not consistent with the facts." Speaking at the same briefing Kang also commented on a meeting being held in Vancouver on the issue of the two Koreas, which is being hosted by the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and his Canadian counterpart Chrystia Freeland. It is being attended by foreign ministers and senior diplomats of nations that sent troops or humanitarian aid to the UN Command that supported South Korea in the fight against the communist North and its allies during the 1950-53 Korean War. It's a diverse gathering of mostly European and Asian nations, as well as Australia, New Zealand and Colombia. Japan and South Korea are also taking part. China and Russia, which fought on the communist side in the war, oppose the meeting. They were not invited although they have the closest economic and diplomatic ties to North Korea. The spokesman stated China did not know what the goal of the meeting was and repeated his country's opposition to it, saying the "most important parties involved in the Korean peninsula issue" aren't taking part. Kang meanwhile also told reporters that Chinese President Xi Jinping had held a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday during which they discussed bilateral relations and the Korean peninsula issue. The spokesman said Xi had welcomed the recent talks between North and South Korea and hoped the relevant parties can "keep up the positive momentum." Trump has also signalled openness to talks with North Korea under the right circumstances. Despite the insults and blood-curdling threats he's traded with its leader Kim Jong Un, he suggested in an interview that the two leaders could have a positive relationship. The Vancouver meeting is intended to boost the campaign of "maximum pressure" that the Trump administration has championed to deprive the North of revenue for weapons development. Officials will discuss cooperation on sanctions, preventing the spread of weapons by North Korea, and diplomacy. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...