Chinese diplomat meets top Bush aides on N.Korea

WASHINGTON, Oct 12 (Reuters) A senior Chinese diplomat met with two top members of U.S. President George W. Bush's national security team TOday as Washington pressed for tough U.N. sanctions against Beijing's ally North Korea for its reported nuclear test.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Bush's national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, met at the White House with Tang Jiaxuan, a state councilor and former foreign minister who will also visit Moscow.

Frederick Jones, spokesman for the National Security Council, said the officials discussed ''the way forward in dealing with North Korea.'' He gave no further details of the talks.

China condemned North Korea's reported nuclear test on Monday as a ''brazen'' breach of trust, signifying a rift with its neighbor and long-time Communist ally.

But China has resisted some of the tougher sanctions proposed by the United States and Japan at the United Nations.

A U.S. draft resolution would authorize sanctions or even military force if a Security Council is defied. China has been adamantly against military force.

Chinese diplomats say they still hope for renewed six-party talks aimed at dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear program.

''We're working with our Chinese allies in crafting a way forward,'' Jones said.

He also said Bush spoke by telephone with Australian Prime Minister John Howard and they agreed that tough U.N. action was needed to confront North Korea's nuclear challenge.

Reuters PR DB2101