Obama finds common cause on N. Korea with China and allies

WASHINGTON -- In the face of mounting threats from North Korea, President Barack Obama on Thursday urged closer security ties among its chief allies in Asia and increased cooperation with strategic rival China to discourage Pyongyang from further advances in nuclear weapons.

As world leaders gathered for a nuclear security summit, Obama first met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-hye.

Together, they warned North Korea would face even tougher sanctions and more isolation if it provokes again with nuclear and missile tests.

Then Obama met Chinese President Xi Jinping, and both called for North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.

China also agreed to implement in full the latest economic restrictions imposed by the U.N. Security Council against Pyongyang.

More than 50 governments and international organizations are attending the two-day summit on preventing nuclear terrorism -- the last in a series of global meetings Obama has championed on the issue.

The risk posed by the Islamic State group tops this year's agenda, but concerns about North Korea also are commanding focus.

"Of great importance to both of us is North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons, which threatens the security and stability of the region. President Xi and I are both committed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Obama said at the start of his meeting with Xi.

"China and the U.S. have a responsibility to work together," Xi said in his comments made to reporters through an interpreter.

As for their "disputes and disagreements," the Chinese leader said the two sides could "seek active solutions through dialogue and consultation."

North Korea's fourth nuclear test in January, followed by a space a launch in February, have heralded more convergence among often-fractious powers in East Asia -- at least on the need to press the government of Kim Jong Un toward disarming.