Hu vows to ease 'frictions' with US

The two leaders, speaking before an hour-long meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, pledged to keep working together to end

North Korea's nuclear programs as six-nations talks on the matter resumed in Beijing.

Speaking through an interpreter during a joint public appearance, Hu offered to "step up" Chinese cooperation with the United States to "facilitate fresh progress" in the negotiations with the two Koreas, Japan, and Russia.

Looking at Sino-US relations, Hu said the "proper handling" of Taiwan -- which Beijing considers a renegade province and has vowed to reunite with the mainland -- was critical to future cooperation.

"I hope that the United States will join the Chinese side in safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and opposing so-called Taiwan independence," Hu said.