BEIJING, March 20 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice discussed North Korea and Taiwan with China's top leaders Snnday, the first day of a visit to Beijing.
President Hu Jimtao told Rice a law that encourages China's sovereignty over Taiwan promotes "peace and stability" in the region, the BBC reported. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, after his meeting with Rice, said he hopes the United States follows the law.
Rice tried to encourage the Chinese leaders to bring North Korea back to the bargaining table in the six-party talks on its nuclear ambitions. While China says it has little influence over its neighbor, it supplies China with food and fuel.
She told reporters Washington continues to reject the North Korean demand for two-way talks.
"The six-party talks are the place that they can actually get the respect that they have desired, and ... get the assistance that they need," she said.
Added Rice, We need to resolve this issue; it cannot go on forever."
