The White House says it has asked China to help persuade North Korea to scrap its nuclear weapons programs and fulfill its international obligations.

The White House said that National Security Advisor Tom Donilon made the call when he met with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Washington on Tuesday to discuss U.S.-China relations and preparations for Chinese President Hu Jintao’s January 19th visit to Washington.

According to the White House, Donilon told Yang that the U.S. hopes China will persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program, meet its commitments and international obligations, and avoid destabilizing behavior.

The White House added that President Barack Obama joined Wednesday’ meeting and met with Yang after wrapping up his holiday vacation in Hawaii.