Nuclear fears mute China's North Korea response

[Coventina]

Source: Reuters

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's muted reaction to North Korea's rocket launch is in sharp contrast to other nations, with Beijing concerned about pushing Pyongyang into a corner which could jeopardize broader nuclear disarmament talks, analysts said.

China is also concerned about the stability of North Korea given the risk of refugees flooding across its border if the impoverished state were to collapse, and analysts say Beijing is unlikely to back strong action against its communist neighbor.

The Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Yesui urged fellow Security Council members to act in a "constructive and responsible manner" to a launch which Beijing officially says was of a communications satellite, echoing the North's stance.

China's mild stance contrasts with October 2006, when it denounced as "brazen" North Korea's first and only test explosion of a nuclear device -- an act that defied public warnings from Beijing's image-sensitive leaders.



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