| GEO World | | Hillary seeks Beijing help to punish NK, Iran | Updated at: 0401 PST, Wednesday, May 26, 2010
 BEIJING: US secretary of state Hillary Clinton made it clear on Monday that she was seeking China's cooperation to punish North Korea and in finding a solution to Iran's nuclear problem. But it was not revealed what concessions China was seeking from the US for its cooperation.
The two countries launched their annual strategic and economic dialogue with Chinese president Hu Jintao offering an olive branch by promising to continue with the present effort of reforming the exchange rate of the yuan and expanding market access for foreign countries.
"North Korea is also a matter of urgent concern...And today we face another serious challenge, provoked by the sinking of the South Korean ship," Hillary said. "So we must work together, again, to address this challenge and advance our shared objectives for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula."
Hillary made a specific mention of Pakistan in the midst of speculation in the diplomatic community that China's selling of nuclear reactors to Islamabad will be an issue of discussion at the dialogue.
One of China's demands is easing of impediments to US high technology exports and a clear timetable on such exports to this country, Chinese vice-premier Wang Qishan said. This is one of the largest groups of cabinet and sub-cabinet officials with nearly 200 officials flying in from Washington for the two-day dialogue. |  |
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