The fact that there are currently no six-party meetings, ‘does not add mutual trust’, he noted.

North Korea's rocket test led to condemnation from countries such as Japan and the US, who call the move a provocation. They also say the rocket launch violates resolution 1718 issued by the Security Council in October 2006. The document provides that North Korea suspend all activities “related to its ballistic missile program” and “abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner”.

Pyongyang claims it launched a satellite, not a ballistic missile on Saturday. Although South Korea, the United States and Russia said no satellite reached orbit, North Korea insists the launch was a success.

Russia and China say resolution 1718 does not forbid the launch of satellites, though there is a need to investigate the incident.

The Chinese foreign ministry also said “the launch of a satellite is not the same as a ballistic missile or nuclear test” and “this problem also implies the right of countries to peaceful space exploration”. China believes that the UN Security Council “should be very cautious in reacting to the latest events”.

Both Russia and China have a veto in the Security Council, so their stance can influence both the discussion and the vote at the UN.