3RD LD: China calls for 'balanced' U.N. resolution on N. Korea+

TOKYO, June 7 Kyodo -
(EDS: UPDATING)
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Sunday called for the swift adoption of
''an appropriate and balanced'' U.N. Security Council resolution in response to
North Korea's nuclear test, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said,
signaling China's reluctance to accept the imposition of tougher sanctions on
the North.

During talks between Yang and his Japanese counterpart Hirofumi Nakasone in
Tokyo, Nakasone sought cooperation from China for the adoption of a tough
resolution and noted that China's role is important in preventing North Korea
from taking provocative actions.
''The U.N. Security Council must adopt swiftly a strong resolution that will
make North Korea understand that its nuclear test is unacceptable. If not, the
U.N. Security Council's authority will be hurt,'' Nakasone was quoted as
telling the Chinese foreign minister.
Yang stressed that China is ''firmly'' against the possession of nuclear
weapons by North Korea but told Nakasone that peace and stability on the Korean
Peninsula is also important and that China agrees with the passage of ''an
appropriate and balanced'' U.N. resolution ''as early as possible,'' the
official said.
North Korea should also return to the six-party talks aimed at denuclearizing
the country, Yang, whose country hosts the multilateral talks, was quoted as
telling Nakasone.
The two also exchanged views on a draft U.N. resolution that key members of the
United Nations are working on, the Japanese official said. But he did not
elaborate, saying that the issue is still under negotiation.
U.N. diplomatic sources said Friday that the revised draft resolution outlined
by seven key U.N. members would obligate all U.N. members to inspect North
Korean cargo ships if they are suspected of carrying nuclear or missile-related
items.
The draft also includes additional financial sanctions against North Korea in
line with a call by Japan and the United States. But China, which is a
traditional ally of North Korea and opposes tough measures on the country, has
been reluctant to accept the draft, the sources said.
Meanwhile, the two foreign ministers failed to achieve progress on the issue of
a Japan-China joint gas exploration project in the disputed East China Sea.
Nakasone emphasized the need to start negotiations toward concluding an
agreement at an early date, while Yang said that both countries should continue
to communicate at a working level.
The nearly one-hour talks, held on the sidelines of the Japan-China high-level
economic dialogue in Tokyo, came amid a flurry of diplomatic activity among
countries concerned over North Korea's May 25 nuclear test that has raised
tension in the region, and amid final-stage negotiations over the U.N.
resolution.
At the start of the meeting in Tokyo, Nakasone said, ''It is important that
frequent communications are made between foreign ministers,'' while Yang
expressed hope for the enhancement of the two countries' bilateral ties.
Pyongyang's May 25 nuclear test came after North Korea said it will quit the
six-party talks in protest against a U.N. Security Council statement condemning
its rocket launch in April.
The talks, involving the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United
States, have been stalled since December over ways to verify Pyongyang's
nuclear activities.
During Sunday's talks, Nakasone and Yang also agreed to hold a bilateral
working-level dialogue on human rights in early July in Tokyo.
==Kyodo