US and China discuss North Korean missile tests

The chief US negotiator on North Korea met top Chinese officials today to discuss Pyongyang’s missile tests, amid stepped up efforts by the world powers to curb North’s provocative behaviour.

US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill met with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan and his Chinese counterpart, Wu Dawei, Beijing’s chief envoy to the nuclear talks.

Hill then planned to head to Seoul as part of a regional diplomatic push.

The meetings came hours after Chinese President Hu Jintao and US President George Bush spoke by phone and North Korea vowed to fire off more missiles.

Bush called Hu and other world leaders, urging a co-ordinated response to North Korea, which test-fired seven missiles on Wednesday. Hu urged calm and restraint to alleviate tensions in the region.

China, which provides oil and other economic assistance to North Korea, is seen as key to getting Pyongyang to stop its missile tests and resume long-stalled negotiations over its nuclear weapons programmes.