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Clinton Heads to South Korea After High-Level Talks in China


U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton travels to Seoul Wednesday to discuss escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula with top South Korean officials.

Clinton wrapped up two days of high-level economic talks with Chinese offcials on Tuesday.

During a news conference in Beijing, she said that in the coming days, the U.S. would work with China and the international community to come up with an effective, appropriate response to North Korea's alleged sinking of a South Korean warship.

The Beijing talks focused on currency reform, trade and rising tensions on the Korean peninsula.

Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo told reporters that the two countries are in agreement on the importance of maintaining stability and avoiding escalation on the Korean Peninsula.

On the topic of currency reform, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said yuan reform is a decision for China to make by itself.

At the opening of the meetings Monday, Chinese President Hu Jintao promised his government will carry out currency reform, but at its own pace.

The Obama administration has been urging China to revalue its currency, the yuan, which has been pegged to the dollar since 2008.

Some members of Congress and U.S. businesses have accused China of keeping the yuan artificially weak, making its exports cheaper and contributing to the huge trade imbalance between the two countries.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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