U.S. and North Korean finance officials have begun talks in Beijing aimed at resolving a key dispute over U.S. financial restrictions on North Korea-linked companies.

A new round of the on-again, off-again talks aimed at persuading North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program has begun in Beijing after a 13-month hiatus. Roger Wilkison reports from Beijing that China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and the United States are trying to determine whether North Korea really is prepared to negotiate following its nuclear test in October.

Six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program officially open Monday in Beijing but expectations are reported to be low that a breakthrough can be achieved. The talks -- which will bring together China, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Russia and North Korea -- resume after a 13-month hiatus. During that time, Pyongyang tested a nuclear weapon that led the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on North Korea.

China says progress can be made at next week's six-party North Korean nuclear disarmament talks if the participants adopt a flexible and pragmatic attitude. Roger Wilkison reports from Beijing, where the talks will resume after a 13-month boycott by North Korea.