The U.S. State Department says that it is sizing up China’s role in North Korean issues.

Deputy Department Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters on Friday local time that next week’s U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue will address progress in inter-Korean relations and seek a solution to the North Korean issue with China. He said that the department is looking for ways to improve stability and peace in Northeast Asia.

Moreover, Toner said that the U.S. values China’s contribution as a member of the six-party denuclearization talks. He expressed that strategic dialogue will be a good opportunity for the U.S. and China to compare thoughts and to consider how to move forward.

On Thursday, Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell told reporters in a special briefing that the U.S. intends to have candid and honest discussions with China on a range of issues. Campbell said the U.S. wants to exchange opinions on where the two nations stand with respect to North Korea.