The top US negotiator on North Korea has reported no progress in Chinese efforts to defuse a crisis over Pyongyang's missile tests, saying the regime could now expect a "very strong" message. "I have talked as much as I can with the Chinese to see what's going on with their mission in Pyongyang. From what I understand, we don't have any breakthroughs in Pyongyang," Christopher Hill told reporters in Beijing Thursday.
"So far (the North Koreans) don't seem interested in listening, much less in doing anything to address the situation."
Hill headed back to Washington Thursday after consulting with China on the progress of diplomatic efforts by Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu and Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, who have been in the North for four days.
Despite objections from China and Russia to a Japan-sponsored United Nations resolution, which orders missile-related sanctions against Pyongyang, Hill said the world body would issue a strong response to Pyongyang's test last week of seven missiles.
"I'm confident there will be a very strong, very clear message for the DPRK (North Korea)," Hill said.
"Nobody is supporting the North Korean (position) ... that they have a right to do this ... that it's their legal right."
China and Russia Wednesday fielded a watered-down alternative version that condemns the missile tests but would not make sanctions mandatory.
But Japan said the Chinese-Russian proposal had "very serious gaps" and vowed Thursday to not back down from its own resolution.
Hill said he was confident that what the Security Council would eventually adopt would be "very clear," adding that China and Russia were also frustrated with Pyongyang.
"The North Koreans take Chinese assistance much more readily than they take Chinese advice," Hill said. "The Chinese expect a little more cooperation from the North Koreans."
Regarding Russia's attitude, he added: "Some of the missile fragments landed closer to Russia than any other country, so they were clearly not happy with the DPRK."
Hill said Washington had wanted to give diplomacy a chance by coming to China, the country which provides the most aid and has the most leverage over the Stalinist North, to await the result of Beijing's mission to Pyongyang. He held talks with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and other officials.
But Hill said: "The Chinese are as baffled as we are... China has done so much for that country. That country seems intent on taking all of that generosity and giving nothing back."
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Beijing was still trying to bring North Korea to the negotiating table over its missile launches and meetings were "still ongoing."
She refused to comment on Hill's statements about the lack of progress, nor would she say if the delegation would meet strongman Kim Jong-Il.
"We believe that one or two visits is not enough and that the efforts of China alone is not enough. All parties concerned should make efforts," Jiang said.
Jiang reiterated China's opposition to the Japan resolution and urged the UN to adopt the softer Russian-Chinese resolution.
"We believe that the Security Council should make a prudent and well measured response so as to prevent the escalation of tensions and create conditions to resolve the issue through diplomatic efforts," Jiang said.
She earlier vehemently criticized Japan for contemplating a preemptive strike on North Korea, saying that would intensify the already tense situation.
"This is like pouring oil on fire," Jiang said, according to the China Daily.
Japanese government ministers including Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe had suggested there should be debate about whether to develop such a capability.
Tokyo, however, quickly toned down those comments, saying neighboring countries had misunderstood its position.
