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China calls for calm over N Korea China calls for calm over N Korea
(20 minutes later)
China has appealed for calm following North Korea's announcement that it planned to test a nuclear bomb.China has appealed for calm following North Korea's announcement that it planned to test a nuclear bomb.
"We hope that North Korea will exercise necessary calm and restraint," a Foreign Ministry spokesman said, urging other states not to escalate tensions."We hope that North Korea will exercise necessary calm and restraint," a Foreign Ministry spokesman said, urging other states not to escalate tensions.
North Korea announced the test on state TV, saying it would boost security in the face of US hostility.North Korea announced the test on state TV, saying it would boost security in the face of US hostility.
The US said such an action would be "provocative", while Japan said it would be "unacceptable".The US said such an action would be "provocative", while Japan said it would be "unacceptable".
The US has already indicated it would raise the issue with the UN Security Council, but Beijing says the issue should be handled by ongoing six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear ambitions.The US has already indicated it would raise the issue with the UN Security Council, but Beijing says the issue should be handled by ongoing six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
It would be a threat to peace that is absolutely unforgivable Taro AsoJapanese Foreign Minister In quotes: World reaction These talks have been stalled for almost a year, with Pyongyang refusing to return to the table unless the US first lifts financial sanctions.It would be a threat to peace that is absolutely unforgivable Taro AsoJapanese Foreign Minister In quotes: World reaction These talks have been stalled for almost a year, with Pyongyang refusing to return to the table unless the US first lifts financial sanctions.
Despite a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent months, after the North conducted internationally condemned ballistic missile tests, little progress has been made. Despite a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent months, after the North conducted internationally condemned missile tests, little progress has been made.
China, the nearest the North has to an ally, has often advocated quiet diplomacy in efforts to get Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programme.China, the nearest the North has to an ally, has often advocated quiet diplomacy in efforts to get Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programme.
But other countries involved in the six-nation talks - notably the US and Japan - have frequently taken a more hardline stance. But other countries involved in the six-nation talks - notably the US and Japan - have frequently taken a harder line.
International outcryInternational outcry
North Korea said that it would conduct the nuclear test to prove its claim that it is an atomic nuclear power. North Korea said that its nuclear test would prove its claim, made publicly last year, that it had nuclear weapons.
KOREAN NUCLEAR CRISIS Sept 2005:At first hailed as a breakthrough, North Korea agrees to give up nuclear activitiesNext day, N Korea says it will not scrap its activities unless it gets a civilian nuclear reactorUS imposes financial sanctions on N Korea businessesJuly 2006: N Korea test-fires seven missilesUN Security Council votes to impose sanctions over the testsOct 2006: N Korea threatens nuclear test N Korean statement on test N Korea nuclear timelineKOREAN NUCLEAR CRISIS Sept 2005:At first hailed as a breakthrough, North Korea agrees to give up nuclear activitiesNext day, N Korea says it will not scrap its activities unless it gets a civilian nuclear reactorUS imposes financial sanctions on N Korea businessesJuly 2006: N Korea test-fires seven missilesUN Security Council votes to impose sanctions over the testsOct 2006: N Korea threatens nuclear test N Korean statement on test N Korea nuclear timeline
Pyongyang did not give a date for its planned nuclear test, but North Korean diplomat Pak Myong-guk told the BBC that the country had been forced to act because of Washington's stance.Pyongyang did not give a date for its planned nuclear test, but North Korean diplomat Pak Myong-guk told the BBC that the country had been forced to act because of Washington's stance.
"These kinds of threats of nuclear war and sanctions and pressure by the United States compel us to conduct a nuclear test," he said."These kinds of threats of nuclear war and sanctions and pressure by the United States compel us to conduct a nuclear test," he said.
But there was little sympathy among the international community for Pyongyang's reasons.But there was little sympathy among the international community for Pyongyang's reasons.
Japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told parliament on Wednesday that Tokyo "simply could not accept if North Korea were to conduct a nuclear test".Japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told parliament on Wednesday that Tokyo "simply could not accept if North Korea were to conduct a nuclear test".
"It would be a very provocative act by the North Koreans," added US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ."It would be a very provocative act by the North Koreans," added US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice .
South Korea warned that it might abandon its long policy of pursuing engagement with the North if the tests went ahead.South Korea warned that it might abandon its long policy of pursuing engagement with the North if the tests went ahead.
Russia and various other European nations have also expressed concern, and a spokesman for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said a test would only provoke universal condemnation and do nothing towards strengthening North Korea's security.Russia and various other European nations have also expressed concern, and a spokesman for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said a test would only provoke universal condemnation and do nothing towards strengthening North Korea's security.
The US ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, said he would be raising the nuclear issue with the Security Council and hoped for a strong response similar to the one following the missile tests earlier this year.
"Given the very strong action by the council in July in condemning the North Korean ballistic missile tests, I think it's important that we're prepared to follow up here," he said.
But China said it would be better to revive the six-nation talks, which stalled almost a year ago.But China said it would be better to revive the six-nation talks, which stalled almost a year ago.
"If the six-party talks cannot do anything about it, I don't think the Council is in a position to do it," China's envoy to the UN, Wang Guangya, told reporters."If the six-party talks cannot do anything about it, I don't think the Council is in a position to do it," China's envoy to the UN, Wang Guangya, told reporters.
Nuclear capabilitiesNuclear capabilities
HAVE YOUR SAY It is of concern to the whole world that North Korea should want to test nuclear weapons Steve, Chippenham Send us your comments North Korea is thought to have developed a handful of warheads but never before announced it would test one. HAVE YOUR SAY It is of concern to the whole world that North Korea should want to test nuclear weapons Steve, Chippenham Send us your comments
North Korea is thought to have developed a handful of warheads but never before announced it would test one.
US and South Korean reports suggest the North has at least one underground test site.US and South Korean reports suggest the North has at least one underground test site.
The North appears increasingly angry at sanctions imposed by the US and other countries on North Korean businesses accused of arms sales and illegal activities.The North appears increasingly angry at sanctions imposed by the US and other countries on North Korean businesses accused of arms sales and illegal activities.
In 2002, it restarted its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon and forced two UN nuclear monitors to leave the country. It is unclear how far work has progressed at the plant since then.In 2002, it restarted its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon and forced two UN nuclear monitors to leave the country. It is unclear how far work has progressed at the plant since then.