But China's Assistant Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu told the same briefing that the issue of North Korea and its satellite launch wouldn't be on the agenda at the global nuclear-security summit in Seoul next week.

WSJ: China Seeks Peacemaker Role on North Korea

And we should start by having a global summit on nuclear security that the United States will host within the next year.

CNN: Amanpour: Why did North Korea launch rocket?

Other issues expected on the summit agenda included global warming, security and Iran's nuclear programme.

BBC: EU concern at Russia human rights