Obama urges China to respect religious rights

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday urged China to uphold the rights of ethnic and religious minorities and vowed that Washington would work with Beijing to end North Korea's nuclear arms programs.

Americans "strongly believe that the religion and culture of all peoples must be respected and protected, and that all people should be free to speak their minds. That includes ethnic and religious minorities in China," he said in a speech launching the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue.

The United States and China "must continue our collaboration to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, and make it clear to North Korea that the path to security and respect can be traveled if they meet their obligations," Obama said.

(Reporting by Paul Eckert)