WASHINGTON (Yonhap) -- The Chinese leader-in-waiting, on a landmark trip to the U.S., on Wednesday stressed the importance of a close partnership between the two global powers in dealing with issues on the Korean Peninsula.
Vice President Xi Jinping, on track to become China's leader in October, described Korea as a "hotstpot."
"The world is currently undergoing profound changes, and China and the United States face shared challenges and shared
responsibilities in international affairs," Xi said in a speech at a Washington forum of business leaders.
Xi arrived here on Monday and met with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the following day. Xi visited Congress earlier Wednesday.
"We should further use bilateral and multilateral mechanisms to enhance coordination between China and the United States on hotspots, including developments on the Korean peninsula and the Iran nuclear issue," he said.
While welcoming Washington's outreach to the Asia-Pacific region, expressing hope for a "positive" role, he also launched a thinly veiled warning.
"We hope at the same time, the United States will respect the interests and the concerns of China," he said.
Xi then flew to Iowa, a place he first visited 27 years ago, and he is also scheduled to travel to Los Angeles.
Xi's trip here came as the U.S. plans to hold another round of high-level talks with North Korea in Beijing next week.