BEIJING (AFP) - The current situation on the Korean peninsula is at a "critical time", US Secretary of State John Kerry told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday.

"Mr President, this is obviously a critical time with some very challenging issues," Mr Kerry told Mr Xi in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

"Issues on the Korean peninsula, the challenge of Iran and nuclear weapons, Syria and the Middle East, and economies around the world that are in need of a boost."