Special report: DPRK conducts nuclear test

    BEIJING, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government is resolutely opposed to the nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday.

    According to a report by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the DPRK has conducted an underground nuclear test on Monday.

    "The DPRK ignored universal opposition of the international community and flagrantly conducted the nuclear test on Oct. 9. The Chinese government is resolutely opposed to it," the statement said.

    It said China strongly demands the DPRK live up to its commitment to non-nuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, stop any activity that may worsen the situation and return to the six-party talks.

    It has been the firm, unshakable and consistent stance of the Chinese government to realize non-nuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and oppose proliferation of nuclear weapons, the statement said.

    The Chinese government calls for calm response from all parties concerned and urges them to stick to peaceful resolution of the issue through consultations and dialogues, the statement said.

    It said that maintaining peace and stability in the Northeast Asia region conforms to the common interests of all parties concerned, and China will continue to make unremitting efforts to this end.

    Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing talked over telephone with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday afternoon, exchanging views on the latest development of the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

    Li reiterated China's solemn and just position on the issue as announced in the Foreign Ministry's statement.

    The nuclear test, the first of such conducted by the DPRK, came about a week after the country announced it would undertake an unprecedented atomic test under the condition where safety is firmly guaranteed.

    KCNA reported that there was no such danger as radioactive emission in the test as it was carried out under a scientific consideration and with careful calculation.

    In a statement issued last Tuesday, the DPRK Foreign Ministry said the country "will never use nuclear weapons first."

    The test drew immediate reaction from the international community.

    The United Nations Security Council is to hold an emergency meeting in a closed session Monday to discuss the issue.

    A spokesman of President Roh Moo Hyun of the Republic of Korea (ROK) said Monday that ROK would sternly respond to the DPRK's nuclear test.

    It is reported that Japan and the United States are preparing to submit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council if the DPRK's nuclear test is confirmed.

    Japan said last Friday that it would seek a Security Council resolution on sanctions against the DPRK if it carried out a nuclear test. Enditem