Rice presses Beijing on N Korea

Ms Rice said the two discussed implementing UN sanctions imposed after Pyongyang's 9 October nuclear test and described the talks as "very fruitful".

The meeting comes amid concern North Korea is planning a second detonation.

On Thursday, a senior Chinese envoy held talks in Pyongyang with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

The envoy, former Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, handed Mr Kim a personal message from Chinese President Hu Jintao.

"We hope all relevant parties will maintain coolheadedness, adopt a responsible approach and adhere to peaceful dialogue as the main approach"
Li Zhaoxing

Q&A: Nuclear crisis

N Korea's mercurial leader

China, North Korea's closest ally and main trade partner, is thought to have most influence over the communist state.

It backed a resolution in the UN Security Council that imposed sanctions targeting Pyongyang's missile and weapons programmes.

But Beijing has balked at one clause allowing inspections of cargo going to and from North Korea for banned items, fearing it will raise tensions further.

'Full implementation'

In a news conference after her meeting with Mr Li, Ms Rice said the two sides had discussed how to implement the sanctions.

NEW UN SANCTIONS

• Bans sale to, or export from, N Korea of military hardware
• Bans sale or export of nuclear and missile related items
• Bans sale of luxury goods
• Freezes finances and bans travel of anyone involved in nuclear, missile programmes
• Allows inspection of cargo to and from N Korea
• Stresses new resolution needed for further action

Who stands where

Discord over ship searches

"We talked about the importance of the full implementation of (Resolution) 1718 so we can make certain there is not a transit and trade in illegal materials, dangerous illegal materials, concerning North Korea," she said

Mr Li told the news conference that China would "continue to implement relevant international obligations", but he urged a return to talks.

"We hope all relevant parties will maintain coolheadedness, adopt a responsible approach and adhere to peaceful dialogue as the main approach," he said.

Ms Rice, who arrived from South Korea on the third leg of a four-nation tour, is set to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao later in the day. She is scheduled to travel to Russia on Saturday.

'Suspicious activity'

In South Korea, Ms Rice played down talk of disagreements over enforcing the sanctions, saying Washington was not seeking "quarantine or a blockade" of North Korea.

"We want to leave open the path of negotiation," she said. "We don't want the situation to escalate."

But on Thursday a North Korean official hinted that another test could take place.

The deputy head of North Korea's foreign ministry, Li Gun, speaking on ABC TV in the US, said a second test would be "natural" and that the US should not be surprised if one were carried out.

US intelligence officials say satellite images have shown increased activity at a suspected North Korean test site, according to US media reports.

Both US and South Korean officials have warned of "grave consequences" should a second test go ahead.