Top officials from the United States and China have been discussing their relationship and efforts to denuclearize North Korea.
They agreed to cooperate on both of those fronts, but tensions over the South China Sea remain.
Kan Hyeong-woo reports.

With the trade war between the U.S. and China still raging,... top diplomats and military heads from the two sides gathered in Washington on Friday.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made it clear the U.S. seeks a constructive and results-oriented relationship with China, saying cooperation is important.


"Even as our countries confront important differences in the bilateral relationship between the nations, our cooperation remains essential on many, many central issues."

The two sides also talked about combined efforts to achieve North Korea's denuclearization.
The U.S. delegation stressed the importance of China's cooperation to maintain pressure on Pyeongyang through sanctions.
For its part, China reaffirmed its commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

But it seems the two sides made little headway on narrowing their differences over South China Sea tensions since U.S. and Chinese vessels nearly collided in the region in September.


"The Chinese side made it clear to the United States that it should stop sending its vessels and military aircraft close to Chinese islands and reefs and stop actions that undermine Chinese authority and security interests."

Even though the U.S. said it seeks a peaceful resolution,... Washington's defense chief did not back down from the Trump administration's firm stance.


"We made clear that the United States will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows."

The diplomacy and security dialogue was originally scheduled for October, but it was postponed after Washington announced new arms sales to Taiwan.
Kan Hyeong-woo, Arirang News.