U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has travelled to China to meet with President Xi Jinping to discuss the growing threat of North Korea's nuclear capabilities. The U.S. diplomat held talks at Beijing's Great Hall of the People with the President and other Chinese officials to discuss their relationship with North Korea as well as territorial disputes with Japan.

It is hoped that China will use its influence over Pyongyang to end the controversial North Korean nuclear program. North Korea has not discussed its nuclear program since halting six-nations talks in 2008 and refuses to dismantle its nuclear facilities despite pressure from the US and United Nations.

Tensions between South and North Korea continue to rise as North Korea develops itself as a world power after the appointment of its new leader Kim Jong-Un in 2012. In April 2012 Pyongyang attempted to launch a satellite into space in honor of the 100th birthday of Kim-Il Sung, founder of the national party of North Korea. The launch was seen by many, including the US and South Korea, as a disguised long-range rocket launch. Though the launch failed it was condemned as an act of defiance by Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon.

Kerry will also talk with the Chinese President over China's claims to parts of the East China Sea, including islands recognized as under the control of Japan. The Secretary of State asserted that the US does not recognize China's claims to these territories.

Kerry travelled to Beijing after visiting Seoul to discuss relations between the two Koreas with South Korean President Park Geun-hye. Kerry will continue his diplomatic visit to Asia in Jakarta to meet with Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretary General Le Luong Minh to discuss regional issues within the South China Sea.