US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged China on Thursday to help defuse tension over Iran and North Korea, during a two day visit to the Asian country.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged China on Thursday to help defuse tension over Iran and North Korea, during a two day visit to the Asian country.
"On Iran, the United States and China share the goal of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon”, Clinton said in her opening remarks to the two-day U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue.
"It is critical that we keep the pressure on Iran to meet its international obligations, negotiate seriously, and prove that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes”, she told US and Chinese officials gathered in the Chinese capital.
China is a major buyer of Iranian crude oil, and has resisted US demands for sanctions threatening energy flows.
Meanwhile, Clinton said Washington and Beijing should "work together to make it clear to North Korea that strength and security will come from prioritizing the needs of its people - not further provocation".
China has also resisted calls from Washington and its Asian allies for stronger pressure on North Korea, its neighbor and long-time ally.
However, Clinton avoided mention of a blind rights activist, Chen Guangcheng, who sought protection in the US embassy until he left under a deal to stay in China.
"Of course, as part of our dialogue, the United States raises the importance of human rights and fundamental freedoms", Clinton said in her remarks.