Lima: U.S. President Joe Biden called on China to utilize its influence to prevent North Korea from dispatching additional troops to support Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, raising alarms over potential provocations from Pyongyang, a senior U.S. official stated on Saturday. The plea was made during discussions on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, where both Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping were present. According to Yonhap News Agency, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan provided further insight into the conversations between the two leaders, highlighting the strategic concerns surrounding a possible military alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang. Biden emphasized China's potential role in preventing an escalation of the conflict through the involvement of North Korean forces, stressing the danger such developments pose both in Europe and on the Korean Peninsula. Biden's warning comes in light of North Korean troops reportedly participating in combat oper ations in Russia's Kursk region against Ukrainian forces, following a military alliance treaty between Moscow and Pyongyang signed in June. This treaty rekindles Cold War-era ties, potentially broadening the scope of the conflict and impacting global security. During the summit conversations, President Xi assured Biden that China opposes "conflict and turmoil" on the Korean Peninsula and would not remain passive if its core interests are threatened. The dialogue also touched on broader Sino-U.S. relations, with both leaders acknowledging the importance of maintaining a stable relationship to prevent their competition from escalating into conflict. Biden reiterated the importance of avoiding a decoupling of economic ties between the U.S. and China, while Xi cautioned against such measures, advocating for mutually beneficial cooperation. The discussions are set against a backdrop of anticipated policy changes under President-elect Donald Trump, who has signaled a potential hard-line approach towards China on trade and other issues. The summit marks the third face-to-face meeting between Biden and Xi since Biden assumed office, highlighting ongoing efforts to navigate complex geopolitical challenges, including the contentious issue of North Korea's military support for Russia.