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Pyongyang nuclear test shocks Beijing

By Li Xiaokun and Zhang Haizhou (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-05-26 07:20

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) conducted a "successful underground nuclear test" Monday, shocking China and the world alike.

Women in Tokyo react to the news of the DPRK's nuclear test Monday. [Agencies]

The DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency quoted the government as having said the test was "part of the measures to bolster its nuclear deterrent for self-defense as requested by its scientists and technicians".

Pyongyang test-fired three short-range missile just hours after the nuclear test, the Republic of Korea's (ROK) Yonhap news agency said.

China reacted strongly, saying it was "resolutely opposed" to the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Full coverage:  DPRK Conducts Nuclear Test Related readings:  China 'resolutely opposes' DPRK's nuclear test  World concerned over DPRK's nuclear test  DPRK conducts nuclear test  DPRK confirms 2nd nuclear test  Obama: DPRK nuclear test a 'grave concern'

"The DPRK ignored the opposition of the international community and once again conducted a nuclear test. The Chinese government is resolutely opposed to it," a ministry statement said.

China has been firm and consistent in its stance to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. It is opposed to nuclear proliferation because it wants peace and stability to be maintained in northeast Asia and the world beyond.

The statement "strongly" demanded that the DPRK honor its commitment to non-proliferation, stop any activity that could worsen the situation, and return to the Six-Party Talks.

"Maintaining peace and stability in northeast Asia is in the interest of all the parties involved," the statement said, and urged all sides to deal with the issue peacefully.

The statement reiterated China's commitment to restoring peace in the region.

'Site of nuke test'

The DPRK gave no details of the test or the site where it was conducted. But ROK officials said an "artificial earthquake" was detected near DPRK's northeastern town of Kilju, about 10 km from the site where it conducted its first nuclear test in October 2006.

Yesterday's test came about a month after the UN Security Council adopted a statement condemning the April 5 rocket launch by the DPRK and asking it "not (to) conduct any further launch".

Pyongyang responded by saying it was quitting the Six-Party Talks, would reopen its disabled plants and strengthen its nuclear deterrent.

Yesterday's tests drew worldwide condemnation. US President Barack Obama said it was "a matter of grave concern to all nations".

Russia, too, called the test a threat to regional security. It said the implosion had the power of the atom bomb the US dropped on Nagasaki.

Su Hao, director of China Foreign Affairs University's Center for Asia-Pacific Studies, said the Six-Party Talks was the "only channel" through which the issue could be resolved. "But I don't see the talks reopening in the foreseeable future (because) other parties won't accept DPRK's status as a nuclear power."

Even if dialogue restarted "a deadlock could last very long before talks could start again," said Pang Zhongying, professor in Renmin University.

"It's time for Obama to push the DPRK issue up on the agenda," Pang said, referring to the progress the US has made on Iran and Cuba.