The U.S. says it asked China to exert its influence over North Korea to improve inter-Korean relations.

State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters in a regular briefing Friday local time that the U.S. urged China to make its best effort to encourage talks between North Korea and the South, saying improved dialogue between North and South Korea is necessary.

This request was made by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, who recently visited China.

Campbell had previously held a news conference in Seoul and said the U.S. actively supports the South Korean government’s efforts to resume dialogue and that he urged China to persuade North Korea to return to talks.