China's Xi meets North Korea's Kim for second time in two months

Kim's meetings with Xi in quick succession show that ties are improving rapidly as North Korea seeks talks over its nuclear programme

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the port city of Dalian over the past two days, the second meeting between top officials of the allies in less than two months.

The summit came after Kim’s surprise two-day visit to Beijing in late March, his first known trip abroad since taking power in 2011. The most recent talks follow Kim’s meeting with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea on April 27 and an expected one with US President Donald Trump, possibly next month.

Trump said on Twitter he would speak to Xi by phone