Chinese envoy in US for North Korea talks

A special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao today told US President George Bush that China wants a strong UN response to North Korea’s claimed nuclear test, a White House spokesman said.

China’s State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan also indicated to Bush that China wants only sanctions related to North Korea’s proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, said the spokesman, Frederick Jones.

Tang also met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley at the White House, part of a flurry of diplomatic activity following North Korea’s announcement that it had tested a nuclear device.

Chinese officials “also indicated an appreciation for the president’s commitment to solving the situation by diplomatic means,” Jones said. “We will continue to consult with the Chinese on the diplomatic way forward.”

In China, the foreign ministry said China and the US were discussing a possible visit to Beijing by Rice. The state department had no details on Rice’s travel plans.

Tang was also expected to meet with Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, the chief US envoy to stalled North Korean nuclear negotiations.

Kim Jong Il’s government in North Korea has said sanctions would be considered an act of war and threatened more nuclear tests if they were imposed.

China has joined other UN Security Council members in unanimously condemning North Korea’s claimed test. But as North Korea’s last major ally, Beijing has not agreed to severe sanctions backed by Washington.

Earlier in the day, Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe accused North Korea of threatening global stability, as Japan’s ruling party approved new sanctions against Pyongyang over its claim that it conducted a nuclear weapon test.

“North Korea not only ignores concerns of the international community, but is also taking a provocative stance to global peace and stability,” Abe said.

He said a unanimously adopted UN resolution could prompt North Korea to change course on its nuclear programme.

Japan’s new sanctions on North Korea included barring all imports and a ban on its ships in Japanese waters, following the communist regime’s announced nuclear test, officials said.

The Liberal Democratic Party’s General Affairs Council approved the measures during a meeting today and the Cabinet was expected to approve the plan tomorrow, a ruling party official said.