The Chinese raised what Beijing calls "dual suspension" of U.S.-South Korean war games and North Korean nuclear and long-range missile tests at the first meeting of the administration's Diplomatic and Security Dialogue, said two officials.
The American side rejected the idea of canceling U.S. military exercises as a tactic tried in the past that was unsuccessful in convincing the North Koreans to give up their nuclear arms programs.
The talks came a day after President Trump cast a shadow over U.S.-China ties by suggesting China had failed to rein in North Korea, a fraternal communist state that maintains close military relations with Beijing.
"While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi & China to help with North Korea, it has not worked out," Trump tweeted. "At least I know China tried!"
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang defended China's efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear and missile challenge. Geng asserted the problem in dealing with North Korea's nuclear and missile threats does not "lie with the Chinese side," he said.
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