China’s president Xi Jinping , has urged President Trump to show restraint toward North Korea despite signs that the North may be preparing a nuclear test. Xi made the appeal in a phone call with Mr. Trump on Monday that reflected growing alarm over North Korea’s plans, which could result in crisis.

The phone conversation, on Monday morning in Beijing, came after Trump had already used various avenues  to press Jinping to do more to deter North Korea from holding additional nuclear and missile tests. The United States and its allies have been on alert for another atomic test by the North.

[ Read Also] W20 summit: Ivanka Trump to make first foreign trip

In the latest call, the third between the two leaders,  Xi indicated to Trump that China opposed any such test by North Korea, but he also nudged Mr. Trump to avoid a tit-for-tat response to the North’s fiery threats, according to a report on Chinese television.

“China adamantly opposes any actions in contravention of the United Nations Security Council resolutions,” Jinping said evidently referring to a series of decisions by the Council to punish North Korea for its nuclear and missile programs. “At the same time, it is hoped that all sides exercise restraint and avoid doing things that exacerbate tensions on the peninsula,”  said, referring to the Korean Peninsula. “Only if all sides live up to their responsibilities and come together from different directions can the nuclear issue on the peninsula be resolved as quickly as possible.”

[In case you missed also] Obama to make first public speech since Trump’s inauguration

The two leaders reaffirmed the urgency of the threat posed by North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs, and committed to strengthen coordination in achieving the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”