China pleaded again for dialogue today to ease regional tensions after North Korea launched its latest missile test in defiance of UN sanctions. The Chinese foreign ministry urged Pyongyang in a statement to refrain from activities that go against United Nations Security Council resolutions. <br/><br/>It is the North's third ballistic missile test in as many weeks and the 12th this year carried out in defiance of UN sanctions warnings and US threats of possible military action.Washington says, it is willing to enter into talks with Pyongyang, but only if it halts its missile and nuclear tests.<br/><br/>Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov has denounced North Korea's missile launch and expressed concern about the situation. Titov called for restraint among the countries involved to prevent regional tensions from escalating further. <br/><br/>The Interfax news agency quoted a source as saying that North Korea's missile launches are not a threat to Russia.

China pleaded again for dialogue today to ease regional tensions after North Korea launched its latest missile test in defiance of UN sanctions. The Chinese foreign ministry urged Pyongyang in a statement to refrain from activities that go against United Nations Security Council resolutions. <br/><br/>It is the North's third ballistic missile test in as many weeks and the 12th this year — carried out in defiance of UN sanctions warnings and US threats of possible military action.Washington says, it is willing to enter into talks with Pyongyang, but only if it halts its missile and nuclear tests.<br/><br/>Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov has denounced North Korea's missile launch and expressed concern about the situation. Titov called for restraint among the countries involved to prevent regional tensions from escalating further.