China yesterday criticized Japan for its remarks that it is considering a pre-emptive strike against missile bases in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), saying such a threat is "extremely irresponsible and incomprehensible."

"As the international community is going all out to seek a peaceful and diplomatic solution (to the DPRK missile crisis), some Japanese politicians are talking about a pre-emptive strike. This is like pouring oil on fire," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said in a statement yesterday.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said on Monday night that "if we accept that there is no other option to prevent an attack ... there is the view that attacking the launch base of the guided missiles (in the DPRK) is within the constitutional right of self-defence."

Jiang said such a comment would severely disrupt international diplomatic efforts and raise tension in Northeast Asia.

"It goes against the will of people around the world," she said.

Pyongyang test-fired seven missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2 potentially capable of hitting the United States, last week. The weapons, which landed in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, created a major new challenge to international efforts to make the Korean Peninsular nuclear-free.

US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, who is in Beijing to discuss with Chinese officials the latest developments on the Korean Peninsula, yesterday hailed China's efforts to try and resume multi-lateral talks amid tension over the missile tests.

He said he had "very good" discussions with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

"It is clear to me that China is working very hard and taking its responsibilities very, very seriously," said Hill, also the chief US nuclear envoy.

But he added that the DPRK has shown no sign of responding to the efforts aimed at persuading it to stop missile launches and return to the Six-Party Talks on nuclear disarmament.

A Chinese delegation is currently visiting Pyongyang, with Vice-Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, Beijing's nuclear envoy, holding meetings with DPRK officials.

The multilateral talks among the DPRK, Republic of Korea (ROK), China, Japan, Russia and the United States have been stalled since November because Pyongyang objected to US financial sanctions based on accusations it had counterfeited US currency and trafficked drugs.

Beijing yesterday urged Washington to resolve its dispute with Pyongyang over the sanctions.

"It's affecting the progress of the Six-Party Talks and we hope that it will be clarified and resolved as quickly as possible," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told reporters.

Source: China Daily/agencies