U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has held top-level talks in China in an attempt to tighten an economic squeeze on North Korea. <br /><br />Tillerson met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and President Xi Jinping. He also met China’s top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi. <br /><br />The meeting took place on the day that China’s top leaders led a ceremony to commemorate Martyrs’ Day, a day ahead of the 68th anniversary of the founding of the country. <br /><br />The United States sees China as critical to averting military confrontation with Pyongyang which is continuing with its plans to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the U.S. <br /><br />Tillerson’s meetings come ahead of an expected official visit by President Trump in November. <br /><br />Earlier this week Beijing ordered North Korean-owned businesses and ventures with Chinese partners to close by early January. China has also banned imports of North Korean coal, iron and lead ore, and seafood since early September.<br />
