Xi Jinping and Donald Trump
Xi Jinping and Donald TrumpReuters

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that Chinese President Xi Jinping has told him he plans to institute more sanctions against North Korea.

"President Xi of China has stated that he is upping the sanctions against #NoKo. Said he wants them to denuclearize. Progress is being made," Trump tweeted.

Trump met with Xi over the weekend as part of his 12-day trip to Asia. The trip comes amid ongoing tensions with North Korea in recent months. The isolated country sparked global alarm by conducting a sixth nuclear test and test-launching missiles capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.

In addition, Trump and North Korean leader Kim have exchanged insults, with North Korea denouncing Trump as a "mentally deranged U.S. dotard" and Trump referring to Kim as “Little Rocket Man”.

China has not formally announced any plans to further sanction North Korea, noted The Hill on Saturday. According to a report by Reuters, leaders of South Korea and China agreed during a summit meeting to strengthen security and find a stable resolution to nuclear tensions with North Korea.

Earlier this week, during a visit to South Korea, Trump warned the North not to test him.

"This a very different administration than the United States has had in the past," Trump said as he addressed South Korea's National Assembly. "Do not underestimate us. And do not try us."

He warned that provocative action on the part of Pyongyang would amount to a "fatal miscalculation" under his administration, casting himself as more willing than previous presidents to use military force against Pyongyang should they continue threatening the United States and its allies.

The UN recently passed two resolutions aimed at squeezing the North Korean economy by cutting off oil, labor and exports to the nation.

China said shortly after the UN sanctions were passed that it would enforce them.