CHINA / National
DPRK 'has no plan for second nuke test'
By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-10-25 06:24
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) does not have any plan
to conduct a second nuclear test, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said
yesterday. [Read More on DPRK Nuclear Issue]
The assurance came after State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan, a special envoy
of President Hu Jintao, met DPRK leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang last
week, spokesman Liu Jianchao told a regular news briefing.
A video grab shows China's State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan (3rd from front
L), special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao, speaking with North
Korean leader Kim Jong-il (3rd R) in Pyongyang, North Korea, October 19,
2006. [Reuters]
"But if it faces pressure, the DPRK reserves the right to take further
action," Liu said, citing Tang, but did not give any other details.
A second test has been widely believed to be a possibility. Earlier this
month, US media reported that Pyongyang may be preparing for one, citing
suspicious activity at a suspected test site in the country's northeast.
But the Republic of Korea's (ROK) Yonhap news agency reported yesterday
that the US military had not detected signs of preparations for a second
test.
According to Liu, Kim told Tang that the DPRK was willing to return to
the Six-Party Talks aimed at making the Korean Peninsula nuclear free.
Their talks were "frank," Liu said.
He pointed out that some media reports about Kim apologizing for the
nuclear test on October 9 were "not accurate."
ROK news reports said the DPRK leader had expressed regret for the test
during the visit by Tang, who delivered a personal message from President
Hu.
In response to questions on how China would implement UN resolution 1718
that imposed sanctions on Pyongyang, Liu said China would take practical
measures to do so in a responsible manner.
"However, sanctions are not the purpose. They should serve the goal of
peacefully settling the crisis through dialogue and consultation," Liu
said.
He asked parties concerned not to wilfully interpret, or expand, the
sanctions and escalate the crisis.
Liu said China has no plan to stop food and oil assistance to Pyongyang,
noting that the UN resolution does not apply to normal trade between the
two countries.
He also confirmed that Ban Ki-moon, the ROK foreign minister, would
arrive in Beijing on Friday for talks with his Chinese counterpart Li
Zhaoxing on the nuclear stalemate. He will also meet President Hu and
State Councillor Tang.
The trip by the 62-year-old senior diplomat, who is set to become the
next UN secretary general, is part of a recent flurry of shuttle
diplomacy to seek peaceful solutions to the Korean nuclear issue.
Ban reportedly said he plans to use his position as the UN chief, which
he will assume at the beginning of next year, to "seek an active role for
the peaceful resolution of the Korean nuclear issue."
Liu also announced that Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov would
visit China on November 9 and 10 for a regular meeting with his Chinese
counterpart Wen Jiabao and a ceremony to mark the conclusion of the Year
of Russia in China.
WB allegation refuted
Liu rejected criticism by World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, who
alleged Chinese banks were ignoring human rights and environmental
standards when lending in Africa.
"The accusation is groundless," said Liu, reiterating China's policy of
not interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.
"China will neither let other countries impose their values, social
systems or ideologies on itself nor do a similar thing to other
countries," Liu said.
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