U.S. President Barack Obama has asked for China's cooperation in resolving the nuclear stalemates with North Korea and Iran.

During the opening session of the two-day U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue held in Washington, Obama said the two countries can cooperate to advance mutual interests in stopping the spread of nuclear weapons.

He said neither the U.S. nor China has an interest in a terrorist acquiring a bomb, or a nuclear arms race breaking out in East Asia.

He said Washington and Beijing must make it clear to North Korea that the path to security and respect can be traveled if Pyongyang meets its obligations to denuclearize.

The president said the two sides must also be united in preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.