US, China must work together on N. Korea, other global issues: Blinken

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks about China at the Jack Morton Auditorium of George Washington University in Washington, D.C., May 26. Blinken delivered a speech on the Biden administration's policy toward China during the event hosted by the Asia Society Policy Institute. AFP-Yonhap

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Beijing, Thursday, to work with the U.S. on global issues, including North Korea, as he laid out America's policy toward China and their intensifying power competition.

The top U.S. diplomat insisted the two powers must cooperate on vital global issues despite their differences.

"On non-proliferation and arms control, it's in all of our interests to uphold the rules, the norms, the treaties that help reduce the spread of weapons of mass destruction," Blinken said in an address delivered at George Washington University.

"China and the United States must keep working together and with other countries to address Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs, and we remain ready to discuss directly with Beijing our respective responsibilities as nuclear powers," he added.

Blinken's remarks come as North Korea is widely anticipated to conduct a nuclear weapon test as part of its ongoing saber-rattling.

Pyongyang has staged 17 missile tests this year, including at least four suspected launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

Officials in Seoul have said the country appears to have completed "all preparations" for a nuclear test, which would mark North Korea's seventh nuclear test if conducted.

Pyongyang last conducted such a test in September 2017.

"We remain committed to intense diplomacy, alongside intense competition," said Blinken.

"Even as we invest, align and compete, or work together with Beijing where our interests come together, we can't let the disagreements that divide us stop us from moving forward on the priorities that demand that we work together for the good of our people and for the good of the world," he added. (Yonhap)

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