North Korea apparently made for an easy, simple discussion between the top diplomats from two of the most powerful nations -- the United States and China, as they struggle to deal with the crisis in Syria and Beijing's territorial disputes with its smaller neighbors.

After talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Beijing Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said they had "productive" talks over Pyongyang.

"We had a productive conversation about how China can use its unique influence with respect to North Korea," she said in her opening remarks at a joint press conference with Yang, according to a transcript released by the State Department here.

The secretary again urged North Korea's new leadership to seize an opportunity to avert the course of confrontation and improve the lives of the North Korean people.

"At the same time, we wish to continue our joint efforts to bring about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," she said.

Her Chinese counterpart said Beijing supports the efforts of the U.S. and other relevant nations to maintain and increase dialogue with North Korea.

North Korea traditionally is a top agenda item in high-level talks between Washington and Beijing, especially after Pyongyang's provocations such as nuclear and missile tests.

With North Korea relatively "quiet" these days, however, there was no specific question about Korea throughout the press conference.

Clinton and Yang instead focused on territorial rows between China and some Southeast Asian nations and ways to handle the Syrian issue.

They exchanged diplomatically worded warnings to each other.

"Our interest is in the maintenance of peace and stability, respect for international law, freedom of navigation," Clinton said, while reiterating that the U.S. does not take a position on competing territorial claims.

Touching on the U.S. policy towards the Asia-Pacific region, the Chinese minister said, "We have always hoped that the United States would size up the situation and make sure that its policy is in conformity with the trends of our current era and the general wish of countries in the region to seek peace, development and cooperation."

The two sides are also split over how to help end the drawn-out conflict in Syria.

No breakthrough is expected during Clinton's trip to China, her fifth as Washington's top diplomat, during which she also met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.

The U.S. raised vetoes by China and Russia of U.N. sanctions against Syria.

"It is no secret that we have been disappointed by Russia and China's actions blocking tougher UN Security Council resolutions, and we hope to continue to unite behind a real path forward to end the violence in Syria," Clinton said.

Yang countered by saying Beijing's current stance will be judged by history, not by western countries.

"I think history will judge that China's position on the Syrian question is a promotion of the appropriate handling and resolution of the Syria issue," he said.

Clinton and Yang agreed, "We do not see eye-to-eye on everything," given different experiences and perspectives. (Yonhap News)