ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, Oct 12: US President George W. Bush met on Thursday a top Chinese official who agreed on the need for “strong measures” against North Korea following Pyongyang’s nuclear test announcement, US officials said.

Traveling with the president, deputy national security adviser JD Crouch said the Chinese agreed “strong measures” are needed in dealing with North Korea.

“I think it’s a positive sign that we all agree that we need a resolution and we need to go forward with strong measures,” Mr Crouch said following Mr Bush’s meeting with Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan.

While there was no discussion of specific details of a resolution on North Korea’s nuclear program and declared arms test, there was “a broad understanding that there needed to be a strong response,” Mr Crouch told reporters.

“There’s a possibility of differences ... but I think it’s a very major step and a positive step that all the major players in this are arguing for a strong resolution” Mr Crouch said.—AFP