U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says it is "very important" that North Korea make a full declaration of its nuclear activities, and has ordered Washington's chief nuclear negotiator to remain in China to continue talks.

The sound development of the U.S. economy and a steady U.S. dollar benefits the United States and the world, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing on Tuesday.

Chinese President Hu Jintao called for cautious handling of Taiwan issue during a meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Beijing Tuesday.

The United States is expressing disappointment over the continued political impasse in Kenya following last December's disputed election. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the Bush administration is considering penalties against those responsible. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is urging China to use its influence to persuade North Korea to move forward with permanently dismantling its nuclear facilities. VOA's Stephanie Ho reports from Beijing.

New South Korean President Lee Myung-bak got straight to diplomacy on his first afternoon in office. As VOA Seoul Correspondent Kurt Achin reports, he promised the visiting U.S. Secretary of State he would improve on the outgoing administration's ties with the United States.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice leaves Washington Saturday on a mission to South Korea, China and Japan expected to be dominated by the issue of North Korea's nuclear program. Rice Friday ruled out a stop in North Korea. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday there is a very strong case for new U.N. sanctions against Iran after a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency faulted Iranian cooperation with the IAEA. Senior diplomats from major world powers meet in Washington next Monday to discuss a sanctions move in the Security Council. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday urged the parties in Kenya's reconciliation talks to compromise and share power. The U.S. official met Kenyan leaders Monday during a one-day visit that was seen as raising international pressure for a political settlement to the disputed Kenyan elections. VOA's Scott Bobb reports from Nairobi.

President Bush is stepping up U.S. support for efforts to end the political crisis in Kenya. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports he is sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Nairobi during his upcoming trip to Africa.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband have made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan's volatile Kandahar province, a former Taliban stronghold.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says a only a small number of NATO countries have troops in the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan and that more allies need to share the combat burden.