US Secretary of State Begins Visit to China

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the debate with China over human rights should not get in the way of progress in other areas.

Speaking with reporters Friday before arriving in Beijing, Clinton said the two countries should not let their differences get in the way of engagement on climate change, the global financial crisis and security threats.

Clinton arrived in Beijing Friday evening local time, the final stop of a four-nation tour of Asia.

On Saturday, she has a busy day of diplomacy including meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and a dinner with her Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.

On Sunday, she will attend church services and meet with women and civil society leaders then head back to Washington.

Clinton's trip has already taken her to Japan, Indonesia, and South Korea.

During her stop in Seoul, Clinton focused on growing tensions between North and South Korea and efforts to end Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program.

Speaking at news conference Friday with her South Korean counterpart Foreign Minister Yu Myung-Hwan, the two also urged the North to return to border talks and resume its dialogue with Seoul.

Late last month, North Korea announced it was canceling all political and military agreements with South Korea.

Tensions have been increasing on the Korean peninsula. U.S. and South Korea have warned that North Korea is planning to test launch a long-range ballistic missile possibly capable of reaching the United States.