Bush, Hu push for end to N Korean nuke crisis

"Both sides expressed the hope that the issue can be solved peacefully, through dialogue," Hu told reporters during a brief joint appearance on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit here.

"I told the president that I look forward to working with him over the next four years to continue our close work on keeping the peace -- peace in the Korean Peninsula, peace throughout the Pacific region -- and to spread peace throughout the world," said Bush.

The US president came to Santiago hoping to win support from Apec members China, Japan, South Korea and Russia for a new round of six-party talks aimed at defusing the nuclear crisis.

After meeting with Hu, Bush was also to sit down with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On Friday, Hu and Roh met in Santiago and agreed on the need for patience in the multilateral efforts, according to a senior Chinese official.

"Both sides agreed that there was no question that the six-party talks have run into some difficulties and that more sincerity, flexibility and patience was needed," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan told journalists.

"The two sides agreed that they would cooperate to further play a positive and constructive role and push for a fourth round of six-party talks at an early date," he added.

Three rounds of multilateral talks to end North Korea's nuclear ambitions have taken place since the standoff erupted in October 2002, with the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States participating.