US President Obama raises concern over China's cyber, maritime behaviour

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has raised concern about China's cyber and maritime behavior and appealed to Beijing to take concrete steps to ease tension over the issues.

Obama, who yesterday met Chinese leaders including Vice Premier Liu Yandong and Vice Premier Wang Yang, voiced his deep concern at the annual strategic and economic dialogue between top US and Chinese officials.

"The President raised concern about China's cyber and maritime behavior and urged it to take concrete steps to lower tensions," the White House said.

The talks were a prelude to Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming US visit and concluded with both countries' officials agreeing to further expand cooperation on climate and clean energy.

"The President expressed support for China's efforts to reform and rebalance its economy and for our ongoing bilateral investment treaty negotiations, while urging China to address major economic challenges in the areas of its currency, technology and investment policies," the White House said.

Both the sides reiterated their commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.