At their Florida summit meeting last week, U.S. President Donald Trump pressed Xi to do more to curb North Korea's nuclear program.
"Military force can not resolve the issue", Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters in Beijing.
On Tuesday, North Korea warned of a nuclear attack on the United States at any sign of American aggression.
The U.S.'s missile strike against a Syrian airfield was not only retaliation against Syrian President Bashar al Assad's use of chemical weapons against his own people, it also served as a notice to the world that there's a new sheriff in town, and the U.S.is ready and willing to follow through on threats.
A barrage of recent North Korean missile tests has stoked United States fears that Pyongyang may soon develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the United States mainland.
But the acting USA ambassador to Australia voiced "extreme concern" that North Korea will be able to strike the west coast of the United States and Australia with nuclear missiles within two years. The United States has about 28,500 troops in South Korea.
A Washington-based think tank, 38 North, claimed on Wednesday that satellite images of the North's Punggye-ri nuclear test site indicated an imminent new test. At the same time, speculation is growing that Pyongyang may be close to conducting more nuclear or missile tests, despite a raft of global sanctions punishing it over its nuclear weapons program.
A North Korean soldier points his weapon while standing with other soldiers in Sinuiju, North Korea. "If a war starts, then the situation on the peninsula will completely get chaotic", said 66-year-old retiree Cai Zhengsun, who was strolling along the Yalu River, which marks the border between the two countries.
Jurgen Klopp shocked by Borussia Dortmund bus attack
There were also protests over the rescheduling from fans at the stadium. "I was really proud of Borussia Dortmund". And Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel claims the decision to play on Wednesday night was "imposed" on his players.
Also on Thursday, the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe added to concerns suggesting the North Korean regime may have the capability to strike with sarin nerve gas. Expectations are high the North may put its newest missiles on display during a military parade that could be held to mark the event.
US officials said Trump was considering tougher sanctions that could possibly include an oil embargo, banning North Korea's airline, intercepting cargo ships, and punishing Chinese banks doing business with Pyongyang.
The event was part of the run-up to the 105th anniversary of the birth of national founder Kim Il Sung, which falls on Saturday and is North Korea's most important holiday.
"If Trump were to follow through with his hints that he may give the order to shoot down any North Korean missile tests, it could lead to military escalation on both sides".
"Overall, I would say that the risk of war remains low but has increased due to the possibility of mistakes, loss of control of forces, and misunderstandings", he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke to US President Donald Trump on the telephone overnight and has called for a peaceful resolution to the escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Customs data in Beijing on Thursday showed that China's coal imports from North Korea plunged 51.6 percent in the first three months in 2017 from a year ago.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal published earlier Wednesday, Trump said he offered to ease trade pressure on China in exchange for help dealing with its unruly neighbor.
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