Bangkok, Oct 21: China today denied any knowledge of North Korea test-firing of a surface-to-ship missile yesterday, despite confirmation from other countries, including South Korea. "It was fired yesterday? I haven't noticed. I've been busy with the meetings and with meeting Thailand friends," Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said.
China has a practice of not confirming or denying missile tests and other military moves by its neighbour and also refrains from publicly criticising the North.
Li today reiterated that all parties involved in trying to resolve the year-long North Korea nuclear crisis should focus on pushing for a second round of six-nation talks in Beijing.
He also repeated China's calls for the various parties to address Pyongyang's security concerns.
"Regarding the North Korean nuclear issue, the most important thing is we must reach a consensus. Once we do that, we should resolve the issue through dialogue and through the Beijing six-nation talks," Li told reporters on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
"On the North Korean issue, the only solution is to resolve the issue through dialogue. Of course, North Korea's security (concerns) should be properly resolved," Li said.
Bureau Report