US secretary of state in China for North Korea talks
Tuesday, 26 Feb 2008 08:01
Condoleezza Rice is in China to discuss North Korea's nuclear capabilities
US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice is in China today to meet with leaders to discuss
North Korea's nuclear capabilities.
The senior US politician is expected to seek support from China to encourage Pyongyang to fully disclose its nuclear programme.
North Korea promised in 2005 to give up nuclear development following six-nation talks in exchange for economic assistance and energy incentives.
But the country missed a deadline last year to declare its nuclear work.
"We continue to believe that if anyone is capable of convincing the North that this kind of transparency is the only way forward, it's the Chinese," a senior US official told the Reuters news agency.
After today's talks Ms Rice is due to fly to Japan. Yesterday she attended the inauguration of President Lee Myung-bak in South Korea.
After meeting with foreign minister-designate Yu Myung-Hwan Ms Rice described the relationship between South Korea and the US as "strong" and "wonderful".
"It is a relationship that has only deepened over the years because we share something very important," she said.
"As much as we share strategic interests, we certainly share common values."