Hillary Clinton, on her first overseas tour as secretary of state, has called for a deeper relationship between the US and China.

Co-operation between the US and China on global issues such as the economy and climate change is "imperative", said Clinton in Beijing.

"We want to deepen and broaden our relationship," she said during talks with her Chinese counterpart, foreign minister Yang Jiechi.

Her Asian tour has included stops in Japan, Indonesia and South Korea.

Clinton met China's president Hu Jintao and premier Wen Jiabao last night for wide-ranging talks on the global economy, climate change and North Korea.

"We believe we have established a solid foundation, but there is much work to be done," Clinton said, as she and Yang made introductory remarks in front of the media.

"It is in our view imperative that the US and China co-operate on a range of issues from the economy to global climate change to development and so much else."

Yang said the two nations were facing "a series of major and pressing" challenges.

"The larger situation requires our two countries to strengthen dialogue ... and work together to elevate our relationship to a new level," he added.

The two held talks lasting almost two hours. Yang said the discussions had been constructive and produced positive results, with both countries agreeing to take steps to tackle the financial crisis and reject protectionism. Clinton said they had focused on the financial crisis, climate change and security issues, including North Korea.

Asked whether she had raised the issue of human rights, Clinton said she had held candid discussions on the subject with Yang.

Her Chinese counterpart said the two sides saw the subject differently, but he stressed that China did respect human rights.

Many in Beijing had been waiting to see if Clinton would raise the thorny issue. In the past, US officials have kept discussions on the topic behind closed doors, for fear of embarrassing their hosts. But Clinton openly criticised Beijing's record on women's rights when she visited China in 1995.

Before meeting Chinese ministers, Clinton said abiding disagreements with China over human rights, Taiwan and Tibet should not interfere with broader bilateral co-operation.