China informed US of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's trip: White House

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the briefing included a "personal message from President Xi to President Trump," which was conveyed to the president.

The White House says the Chinese government contacted them Tuesday to tell US officials about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's visit to China.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the briefing included a "personal message from President Xi to President Trump," which was conveyed to the president. She did not say what that message entails.

She's stressing the US has been in close contact with South Korea and Japan and sees the development "as further evidence that our campaign of maximum pressure is creating the appropriate atmosphere for dialogue with North Korea."

Trump earlier this month agreed to direct talks with Kim. Officials have yet to set a date.

Meanwhile, China's official news agency is citing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as saying that Pyongyang is "determined" to improve ties with South Korea and "willing" to hold a summit with the US.

Xinhua News Agency said Kim told Chinese President Xi Jinping that North Korea is working to ease tensions and propose peace talks. The report on Wednesday followed Kim's brief visit to Beijing this week.

Without directly quoting him, Xinhua cited Kim as saying that North Korea is "determined" to improve ties with Seoul and hold a summit between the heads of the two sides.

Xinhua described Kim as saying that North Korea is willing to hold a summit with the United States.