China on Wednesday expressed its support for direct talks between the United States and North Korea over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, responding to remarks by U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump that he is open to speaking with the leader of the reclusive country.

"China supports direct negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea," China's foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters.

Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, told Reuters in an interview that he is willing to hold talks with North Korea's young leader Kim Jong-un to persuade the North to abandon its nuclear weapons program.

"I would speak to him; I would have no problem speaking to him," Trump was quoted as saying.

The remarks by Trump were a major shift from the North Korean policy by the current administration of U.S. President Barack Obama, who has focused on increasing sanctions against Pyongyang until the North shows a genuine willingness for denuclearization through actions. (Yonhap)