China urges US, N Korea to 'show goodwill' after summit scrapped

China urged the United States and North Korea today to be patient and "show goodwill" after President Donald Trump cancelled his planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

China had backed the summit, though analysts suggested that Beijing was likely worried that Trump and Kim could end up striking a deal that would harm its strategic interests in the region.

Foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang noted that both Trump and North Korea still left the door open to holding talks after the US leader scrapped his meeting with Kim Jong Un on June 12 in Singapore.

"The recent easing situation on the peninsula is hard won, the political settlement process is faced with a rare historic opportunity," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular press conference.

"We believe as the parties directly engaged on the issue, the summit of the DPRK and US can play a crucial role for promoting the denuclearisation of the peninsula," Lu said, using North Korea's official initials.

"Under the current circumstances we hope both the DPRK and the US can cherish the recent positive progress, stay patient, show goodwill, move in the same direction and continue to stay committed to promoting the denuclearisation of the peninsula."