China urges easing of tension over North Korea

BEIJING, June 20 (Reuters) China urged all sides today to take measures to ease tension over North Korea's reported plans to test a long-range missile but said it had no details of any such preparations.

US officials say evidence such as satellite pictures suggests Pyongyang may have finished fuelling a Taepodong-2 missile for a test launch, which Washington, Seoul and Tokyo have said would present a grave threat to regional security.

''We have paid attention to recent reports, but China does not know the details,'' Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a news conference. ''We hope all sides will take steps that will be conducive to easing the situation.'' China is considered an old ally of North Korea, is the provider of about 70 percent of its oil, and has played host to six-party talks, aimed at dismantling its nuclear programmes, that have been stalled since last November.

But analysts say Beijing is also keen to see the isolated communist state embrace the kinds of reforms that have transformed China into an economic powerhouse, and would be wary of any action that could change the balance of power in the region.

Officials have been expecting the launch any day, but clouds and storms over the likely test site may delay the test.

North Korea shocked the world in 1998 when it test-fired a missile that flew over Japan and landed in the Pacific Ocean. Since 1999 it has adhered to a moratorium on ballistic missile launches, but has fired short-range missiles.

Reuters CH GC1305