Kerry: U.S., China to Work Together On North Korea

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the U.S. and China are pledging to work closely on the volatile situation in North Korea.

America's top diplomat, who's in Beijing for meetings with Chinese leaders, said he had in-depth discussions with officials on "the challenges" presented by the North.

China's foreign policy chief, Yang Jiechi, says his country is committed to working toward a nuclear-free Korean peninsula. He says China believes it's best to try to resolve the situation "peacefully through dialogue" rather than confrontation.

He says China will work with the U.S., Japan, South Korea and others "to play a constructive role" in building toward international talks on North Korea.

The diplomats spoke to reporters before having dinner Saturday night.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)