China urges "restraint" over NKorea nuclear test

BEIJING, Oct 4 (Reuters) China urged North Korea today to act with calm and restraint, the day after Beijing's long-time Communist ally announced that it planned to carry out a nuclear test.

''We hope that North Korea will exercise necessary calm and restraint over the nuclear test issue,'' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in a statement today.

But Beijing also warned other countries not to deepen tensions.

''We also hope that all parties will make the necessary efforts to peacefully resolve their mutual concerns through dialogue and consultation, and not take actions that escalate tensions,'' Liu said.

China's statement came after North Korea said yesterday it would conduct its first-ever nuclear test, blaming a US ''threat of nuclear war and sanctions'' for forcing its hand.

Pyongyang's announcement caused alarm in many capitals.

The United States, France and Japan pressed for a UN response while South Korea expressed grave concern at this latest behaviour from its erratic neighbour.

China argues that the whole question of North Korea's nuclear ambitions should be handled within the framework of the six-party talks it has been hosting in Beijing.

Pyongyang has been boycotting the talks since late last year in protest at a US crackdown on its international financial dealings.

The Beijing forum brings together the two Koreas, China, the United States, Russia and Japan.

REUTERS PDM RAI0953