UN chief discusses North Korea with Chinese president

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon held talks Wednesday on North Korea, Syria, UN peacekeeping and other issues with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Ban praised China's support for UN peacekeeping missions and its "great contribution" to global peace, stability and sustainable development, the semi-official China News Service reported. "Facing a complicated, changing international situation and many regional and global problems and challenges, the United Nations needs China to play a greater role," Ban was quoted as telling Xi. Ban also discussed "international and regional issues" with Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday, the ministry said without elaborating, according to DPA.