China drafts UN statement on N.Korea -report

TOKYO, July 7 (Reuters) China has drafted a U.N. Security Council statement on North Korea's missile launches in a bid to counter efforts to pass a stronger resolution, Kyodo news agency said today.

China's proposed statement calls the launches ''regrettable'' and calls for a reinstatement of North Korea's moratorium on missile launches, but takes a softer line than Japan's proposed resolution, Kyodo said, citing sources at the United Nations.

Japan, backed by the United States and all but two of the 15 council members, is pushing for a resolution, a stronger measure that would require member countries to take action against Pyongyang, such as sanctions.

REUTERS AD PC1314