China sees no N Korea test plans

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North Korea told a visiting Chinese envoy that it does not intend to carry out a second nuclear weapons test, China's foreign ministry has said.

But spokesman Liu Jianchao said North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had indicated he might take action if subjected to more international pressure.

The spokesman denied South Korean media reports that Mr Kim expressed regret for the first test two weeks ago.

The United Nations imposed sanctions on Pyongyang following the test.

Correspondents say Mr Liu's briefing is the most detailed account yet of Kim Jong-il's face-to-face meeting with Chinese presidential envoy Tang Jiaxuan last Thursday.

"He expressed that North Korea does not have a plan for a second nuclear test," Mr Liu said.

"But if others put further pressure or unfair pressure, then North Korea may possibly take further measures."

On Saturday, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed doubts about what were then media reports of Thursday's meeting, accusing Pyongyang of wanting to escalate international tensions over its nuclear programme.