(VOVWorld) – US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Beijing on Thursday to discuss ways to maintain security in the region following North Korea’s nuclear test and Taiwan’s elections.

US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Photo: Susan Walsh/AFP)

During talks with Chinese Executive Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui, Blinken said it’s now time for the two countries to address a number of issues of mutual concern. During his two-day visit, Blinken will meet with head of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office Zhang Zhijun. Blinken has been the most senior US diplomat to visit China since North Korea’s nuclear test on January 6^th.