President Obama and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged in a meeting Monday to cooperate more fully to pressure North Korea to cease its nuclear weapons activity.
The White House said the two leaders condemned North Korea’s nuclear test on Sept. 9 and “resolved to strengthen coordination” to halt Pyongyang’s nuclear work.
The statement said those efforts would include work in the U.N. Security Council “and in law enforcement channels.”
A group of 19 Republican senators wrote to Mr. Obama last week, urging him to expand sanctions against North Korea and punish Chinese entities aiding Pyongyang.
China has been North Korea’s main ally since the 1950s, when Mao Tse-tung bailed out the communist regime from military conquest in the Korean war. China is also the North’s principal land neighbor (besides South Korea) and the source or conduit for most of Pyongyang’s trade.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.