China not too optimistic of talks with North Korea soon

China is not optimistic that North Korea will end its nuclear programme or re-enter disarmament talks soon, reports said on Monday, after Beijing8217;s top nuclear envoy returned from discussions in Pyongyang.

China is not optimistic that North Korea will end its nuclear programme or re-enter disarmament talks soon, reports said on Monday, after Beijing8217;s top nuclear envoy returned from discussions in Pyongyang.

The development threw fresh doubt on a possible breakthrough even as diplomats try to defuse tensions and bring nations back to the negotiating table.

On Monday, Japanese lawmaker Ichiro Aisawa visited Beijing to meet Chinese leaders and discuss measures following the October 9 nuclear test by the North. After talking with Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, Aisawa said Beijing has asked both Pyongyang and Washington for flexibility in restarting talks.

8220;Vice-Foreign Minister Wu said China is not optimistic about the resumption of the six-party talks or that North Korea will abandon its nuclear programme,8221; Aisawa was quoted as saying by Kyodo News agency. Public broadcaster NHK reported the same.

Wu, who is Beijing8217;s nuclear envoy and chairman of the now-stalled six-party talks on halting North Korea8217;s nuclear programme, accompanied China8217;s State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and Vice-Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo on a special mission to Pyongyang last week to deliver a message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry could not immediately confirm Monday8217;s Kyodo report.

In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said the Chinese government had not relayed such views. But he said Japan will closely cooperate with members of the six-party framework to resume talks soon. 8220;What8217;s important is that North Korea should not make more provocative acts, observe the UN sanctions and return to the six-party talks unconditionally,8221; he said.

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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe did not comment on the outlook for talks, but praised the Chinese mission to Pyongyang, saying 8220;it8217;s significant that Mr Tang directly related the concerns of the international community.8221;

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General-designate Ban Ki-moon will visit China on Friday for talks on ending North Korea8217;s nuclear weapons programme and accelerating moves by UN members to sanction Pyongyang for conducting a nuclear test.

Ban, South Korea8217;s foreign minister who will take over at the UN in January, will also visit Russia, Britain and France soon, said South Korean officials. Ban8217;s trip to China will be in his capacity as foreign minister.