China condemns N Korean nuclear test
By North Asia correspondent Mark Willacy and wires
Posted 1 hour 36 minutes ago
Updated 48 minutes ago
"The Chinese Government expresses its resolute opposition." (ABC)
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North Korea reportedly test-fired three short range missiles, just hours after detonating a nuclear device.
It is believed the nuclear blast detonated deep underground was at least four times more powerful than North Korea's first test nearly three years ago.
While the Stalinist state hailed the test as a cause for national celebration, it has been condemned around the world.
South Korea has denounced it as a threat to regional peace and Seoul has now put its 680,000 strong military on heightened alert.
"The Chinese Government expresses its resolute opposition," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website (www.mfa.gov.cn).
"The Chinese side vehemently demands North Korea abides by its denuclearisation promises, stop any actions which may worsen the situation and return to the six-party talks process.
"The Chinese Government calls on all sides to calmly and appropriately deal [with the situation]."
As a permanent member of the Security Council, China has the power to veto any resolution against North Korea. But it is likely to face pressure from Washington and other regional capitals to support measures punishing the North for its test.
The UN Security Council will hold and emergency meeting in New York to discuss a response to North Korea's nuclear test.
Pressure was already building on China to take a firmer stand as host of the now-stalled six-party talks among regional powers that aim to dismantle North Korea's nuclear program.
Beijing condemned North Korea's first nuclear test blast in 2006 as a "brazen" slap in the face for Chinese leaders, who give the North crucial economic and diplomatic protection.
The Federal Government is urging China to use its clout to pressure North Korea into halting weapons tests.
Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith says he wants nations on the UN security council to respond 'robustly.'
Mr Smith has told ABC1's 7:30 Report he has raised the issue with his counter-part in Beijing.
'Keen influence'
"This was one of the issues that we spoke about and one of the issues that we impressed upon China as being an areas where China clearly had keen influence and where it was both in North Asia's interest and in the international community's interest for China to be playing a robust role," he said.
But the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association's nuclear expert Xu Guangyu says China's leaders will likely be more careful to balance their anger against worries that Pyongyang could make the six-party nuclear disarmament talks unsalvageable.
"China's goal is to ensure that the six-party talks process does not fall apart. Stricter sanctions are not going to achieve that objective," he said.
"China may have to compromise with the United States in the Security Council, but it won't want to back strong sanctions."
Already, however, pressure is building on Beijing.
"The Chinese must use their influence to help bring North Korea to the table for the six-party talks," US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was visiting China, said in a statement issued through the US Embassy in Beijing.
"Today's announcement makes that need all the more urgent."
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has shown signs of poor health that could open the way to an unpredictable succession.
Beijing's policy makers are juggling concerns about potential instability in North Korea, its weakened sway there and fears of a regional confrontation over Pyongyang's nuclear arms program.
China has long regarded the North as a strategic buffer against the extension of US and allied forces up to its border, and it also fears a surge of refugees pouring across its 1,416 kilometres frontier with the North.
ABC/Reuters
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