Xinhua world news summary at 0900 GMT, Jan. 8

SEOUL -- Top nuclear envoys representing South Korea and Japan at the six-party talks for denuclearizing Korean Peninsula met in Seoul Monday to discuss the peninsula's nuclear issue amid growing signs of a thaw in inter-Korean relations.

Lee Do-hoon, South Korea's special representative for the Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, met with his Japanese counterpart Kenji Kanasugi, according to Seoul's foreign ministry. The meeting came ahead of the high-level talks between Seoul and Pyongyang slated to be held Tuesday in the truce village of Panmunjom. (S. Korea-Japan-Nuclear Envoys)

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WASHINGTON -- The White House said Sunday that U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron over phone Saturday about the issues of the Korean Peninsula and Iran.

Trump updated Macron on the developments of the situation on the Peninsula, underscoring the "international resolve to achieve the complete denuclearization" of the Peninsula, according to the White House. (U.S.-France-DPRK-Talks)

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PARIS -- French President Emmanuel Macron left Paris Sunday afternoon for his first state visit to China, according to the Elysee Palace.

This makes Macron the first European leader to visit China since last autumn's 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. (France-China-State Visit)

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TRIPOLI -- The Libyan government backed by the United Nations announced on Monday the end of the military action launched a few days ago in the western region against insecurity and smuggling.

"The Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord announces the end of all military operations in and around Abu-Kammash area. Orders have been issued for the competent authorities to take over the Tunisian border," said the government in a statement. (Libya-Military Actions) Enditem