Beijing (CNN) -- With tensions high on the Korean
Peninsula, the top U.S. diplomat is meeting with Chinese leaders
Saturday to urge them to pressure Pyongyang to tone down its
provocations.
U.S. Secretary of State
John Kerry raised the issue of North Korea and other global concerns as
he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
"Mr. president this is
obviously a critical time with some very challenging issues -- issues on
the Korean peninsula, the challenge of Iran and nuclear weapons, Syria
and the Middle East, and economies around the world that are in need of a
boost," Kerry said in opening remarks.
Meeting earlier with
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Kerry said there were "enormously
challenging issues" in front of the two nations.
"I look forward to having
that conversation with you today ... (to) define for both of us what
the model relationship should be and how two great powers, China and the
United States, can work effectively to solve problems," he said.
Wang said he hoped the two nations could work together to handle sensitive issues with "mutual respect."
The U.S. secretary of
state landed in Beijing after leaving Seoul, South Korea, where he
pledged unbending U.S. military support against any attack from the
North.
Washington wants Beijing
to "stop the money trail into North Korea" and give Pyongyang a strong
message that China wants the Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons,
two U.S. administration officials said.
U.S. officials said China has recently expressed frustrations over Pyongyang's actions.
Read More : http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/13/world/asia/china-kerry-koreas-tensions/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
