US China arms control talks on

China says it will resume talks with the United States on arms control and non-proliferation next month.

A spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the specific date and agenda are still under discussion.

China suspended the talks last year, after United States aircraft bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade during the Kosovo conflict.

The United States apologised for the bombing, saying it was caused by human error and outdated information. A United States official said on Wednesday that China should not be concerned over American proposals for a missile defence system aimed at protecting North America from attacks by what he called rogue states.

The Assistant Secretary of State for Non-Proliferation, Robert Einhorn, said the system was not directed at it.

Beijing has said the defence system would prompt an arms race in the region.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service