Transcript for Secretary of State Rex Tillerson meets with Chinese officials

America's new secretary of state is on his first official visit to China. This comes at a really tense time on the heels of secretary Rex Tillerson sending that stern warning to North Korea raising the possibility of a preemptive strike. And ABC's Bob Woodruff is in Beijing China where he had a chance to question secretary Tillerson directly up. Good morning Daniel. Secretary Rex Tillerson just landed here in Beijing this morning after a closed door meetings in Japan and South Korea this week. And this is by far the most important stop. Tillerson speaking alongside the Chinese foreign minister and Beijing over the looming threat of escalating tensions over North Korea's nuclear capabilities. After his comments earlier this week about possible preemptive strikes being quote on the table exactly. Where's the Red Line on this but no specific answer yet Jess rising concerns. We share. A common view and it and a sense that tensions on the and it's required Ira. And that things have reached a rather dangerous level foreign minister wind has agreed that we work together. To see if we can operating the government component. To a place. Where they want to make a different. Course. Tillerson not exactly forthcoming as you Dan earlier this week while visiting South Korea to listen signaled that the US will get more aggressive. Let me be very clear. The policy of strategic patience that is. Us secretary Tillerson said he did not see this tweet coming at all but he says. President trump has stayed consistent. He just wants China to step up the pressure on Kim Jong yen who launched more than twenty ballistic missiles last year alone. For more earlier this month Paula you know treat certainly putting Tillerson in an awkward position Bob thinking.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.