The US’s top military officer, who last month sharply criticised Beijing for failing to rein in North Korean belligerence, said recent meetings with senior Chinese officials have convinced him China is serious about curtailing Pyongyang’s aggression in the region.

Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, said Chinese leaders showed a renewed commitment to containing North Korea following last week’s visit of President Hu Jintao to Washington, and an earlier visit by Robert Gates, US defence secretary, to Beijing.

“The recent dialogue has been very open about what, first of all, the concerns are, and secondly?.?.?.?the recognition of the responsibilities that the big powers have,” Admiral Mullen said in an interview with the Financial Times. “There really is a commitment, from my perspective, on the part of the leaders to contain this thing and to get to a point where serious deterrents, both actions and options, are there.”