National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o asked Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping for a more proactive role by China to persuade North Korea to dismantle its nuclear program and return to the six-party talks.

According to the National Assembly spokesperson, Kim said the recent contact between the North and the U.S. has opened the possibility for the resumption of six-party talks. In addition, Kim reportedly said South Korea will continue its efforts to bring back North Korea to the six-way talks and to scrap the North’s nuclear program.

Xi responded Thursday morning during a meeting at the National Assembly that China places high importance on its relations with South Korea.He also said the latter is also important in China’s external strategy. Accordingly, he expressed his hope that the two Koreas reconcile and cooperate.

Meanwhile, the Chinese vice president added he hoped South Korea and China expand their bilateral trade and push for a free trade agreement between the two nations.