The United States attempted to downplay a recent conflict between Chinese and US naval vessels while both countries engaged in high-level discussions about economic growth and controlling North Korea's nuclear program. The tension between the two nations escalated following an incident in the South China Sea where five Chinese ships clashed with a US Navy survey vessel near China's Hainan island. The US claims its ship, the Impeccable, was in international waters, but China argues that the US violated its sovereignty. Despite this disagreement, it is unlikely to disrupt broader negotiations on political, economic, and security issues such as the global financial crisis, North Korea, and climate change. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton mentioned that she brought up the issue with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who was set to meet with US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and President Barack Obama. Both parties agreed to work on preventing similar incidents in the future. They also discussed various topics such as human rights, North Korea, Iran, and the struggling global economy. Clinton commended China's efforts to stimulate their economy, calling it a significant and positive step. Obama is expected to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao next month during a meeting of the group of 20 nations to discuss coordinated actions to promote growth, address the banking crisis, and enhance regulation. She emphasized the importance of the G20 meeting producing collaborative efforts to stimulate global recovery. Regarding North Korea, Clinton mentioned various options, such as UN Security Council action, that could be taken against Pyongyang if they were to test a long-range ballistic missile, which she described as a provocative action. North Korea had announced plans to launch a satellite using one of its rockets, believed by analysts to be a trial of its longest-range missile, the Taepodong-2. This missile, intended to reach Alaska, failed during its only test in 2006, breaking apart after just a few seconds of controlled flight. North Korea has faced U.N. sanctions for previous missile tests and is prohibited from conducting any further tests. It contends that the missiles are a component of its peaceful space program and asserts its right to launch satellites into orbit. Additionally, it called on North Korea to resume discussions on a multilateral aid-for-disarmament agreement, expressing disappointment that Pyongyang did not allow her envoy, Stephen Bosworth, to visit. Addressing criticism from human rights groups, the U.S. Secretary of State clarified that concerns about China's human rights record should not impede cooperation on economic and other matters. She emphasized that human rights, including the situation in Tibet, are integral to their broad-ranging discussions. She told reporters that human rights is a crucial issue that should not be overlooked in discussions. The US House of Representatives passed a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary and urging Beijing to find a lasting solution. Pelosi emphasized the importance of speaking out for human rights in China and Tibet to maintain moral authority on the matter globally.