BEIJING - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Beijing Sunday ahead of talks with Chinese leaders on trade issues and security threats including renewed tensions on the Korean peninsula. Clinton flew into the capital from Shanghai, where she had toured the World Expo site, and attended a state dinner hosted by Dai Bingguo, a member of China's State Council, or cabinet.
Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who arrived earlier Sunday, open two days of talks Monday with Dai and Vice Premier Wang Qishan under the annual Strategic and Economic Dialogue, the highest-level bilateral forum.
Korean tensions have leapt to the top of the agenda after a multinational panel said on Thursday that evidence indicated a North Korean submarine torpedoed the South Korean navy corvette Cheonan in March, killing 46 sailors.
Clinton was expected to seek Beijing's cooperation in backing a response against North Korea, which is heavily dependent on trade and diplomatic support from its neighbour and closest ally, China.
Clinton briefed Dai on the inquiry into the sinking of the warship, a senior US official said Sunday. “We've shared with them some specific information' during a dinner ahead of the dialogue, the official said.
Clinton also told Dai the substance of a statement due to be made Monday evening by South Korean leader Lee Myung-Bak, and said Washington would back all measures announced.
“The Chinese are still digesting the implications' of the inquiry, said the official, adding that Washington expected Beijing “to take some steps in the international arena to underscore the seriousness of the matter.' |