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China must 'pressure' North Korea over weapons tests - May China must 'pressure' North Korea over weapons tests - May
(35 minutes later)
Prime Minister Theresa May has said the UK will "redouble" its efforts to curb North Korea's "outrageous" weapons testing regime, but urged China to exert its influence over Pyongyang.Prime Minister Theresa May has said the UK will "redouble" its efforts to curb North Korea's "outrageous" weapons testing regime, but urged China to exert its influence over Pyongyang.
Speaking as she travelled to Japan for a visit, she accused North Korea of "significant actions of provocation".Speaking as she travelled to Japan for a visit, she accused North Korea of "significant actions of provocation".
Japan is preoccupied with tackling the fallout from North Korea's missile test over its northern Hokkaido island.Japan is preoccupied with tackling the fallout from North Korea's missile test over its northern Hokkaido island.
The PM's official visit also aims to drum up trade and allay Brexit worries.The PM's official visit also aims to drum up trade and allay Brexit worries.
Arriving in Kyoto shortly before 14:00 local time, Mrs May insisted North Korea's weapons testing programme was illegal.Arriving in Kyoto shortly before 14:00 local time, Mrs May insisted North Korea's weapons testing programme was illegal.
She said: "We will be re-doubling our efforts with our international partners to put pressure on North Korea to stop these illegal activities."She said: "We will be re-doubling our efforts with our international partners to put pressure on North Korea to stop these illegal activities."
The PM said the UK was involved in "discussions about further sanctions" and looking at "the sort of change that China can bring".The PM said the UK was involved in "discussions about further sanctions" and looking at "the sort of change that China can bring".
She said China had "a key role to play" and urged Beijing to do "everything it can" to exert pressure on North Korea.She said China had "a key role to play" and urged Beijing to do "everything it can" to exert pressure on North Korea.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the missile launch an "unprecedented" threat to his country while the UN Security Council has unanimously condemned North Korea for its actions.Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the missile launch an "unprecedented" threat to his country while the UN Security Council has unanimously condemned North Korea for its actions.
Meeting late on Tuesday in New York, the council called the launch "outrageous", demanding North Korea cease all missile testing.Meeting late on Tuesday in New York, the council called the launch "outrageous", demanding North Korea cease all missile testing.
But North Korea has signalled plans for more launches, suggesting its firing of a missile over Japan was "the first step" of military operations in the Pacific.But North Korea has signalled plans for more launches, suggesting its firing of a missile over Japan was "the first step" of military operations in the Pacific.
Trade 'enthusiasm'Trade 'enthusiasm'
Mr Abe and Japan's Emperor Akihito are expected to greet Mrs May when she arrives in Tokyo for the three-day trip.Mr Abe and Japan's Emperor Akihito are expected to greet Mrs May when she arrives in Tokyo for the three-day trip.
The PM is accompanied on the trip by International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and a delegation of business leaders drawn from a range of sectors.The PM is accompanied on the trip by International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and a delegation of business leaders drawn from a range of sectors.
They will be keen to demonstrate their enthusiasm for new trade agreements with Japan.They will be keen to demonstrate their enthusiasm for new trade agreements with Japan.
The BBC's Ben Wright in OsakaThe BBC's Ben Wright in Osaka
It is clear that Theresa May believes China should be doing more to persuade Pyongyang to stop its illegal weapons testing.It is clear that Theresa May believes China should be doing more to persuade Pyongyang to stop its illegal weapons testing.
The prime minister said several times that Britain would be redoubling its efforts with international partners to find a solution to the crisis.The prime minister said several times that Britain would be redoubling its efforts with international partners to find a solution to the crisis.
Trade will be the other main focus on this trip - Theresa May's first to Japan as British leader.Trade will be the other main focus on this trip - Theresa May's first to Japan as British leader.
The EU and Japan are close to signing a new trade agreement and Mrs May said the government would look at the possibility of using that as the basis of a post-Brexit trade deal between Japan and the UK.The EU and Japan are close to signing a new trade agreement and Mrs May said the government would look at the possibility of using that as the basis of a post-Brexit trade deal between Japan and the UK.
She also told reporters that Japanese businesses wanted the certainty there would no cliff edge when Britain leaves the EU in March 2019.She also told reporters that Japanese businesses wanted the certainty there would no cliff edge when Britain leaves the EU in March 2019.
The UK will, however, be unable to sign any bilateral deals until it has left the EU in 2019.The UK will, however, be unable to sign any bilateral deals until it has left the EU in 2019.
Japan has been forthright in expressing concerns about Brexit's impact on its UK-based firms, which employ about 140,000 people.Japan has been forthright in expressing concerns about Brexit's impact on its UK-based firms, which employ about 140,000 people.
Mr Abe will be seeking assurances from Theresa May that Brexit will not be detrimental to Japanese businesses with bases in the UK.Mr Abe will be seeking assurances from Theresa May that Brexit will not be detrimental to Japanese businesses with bases in the UK.
Japan also wants to know what kind of relationship the UK will have with the EU post-Brexit. Japan also wants to know what kind of relationship the UK will have with the EU post-Brexit. That is the subject of ongoing negotiations in Brussels between Brexit Secretary David Davis and the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier.
That is the subject of ongoing negotiations in Brussels between Brexit Secretary David Davis and the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier. Mr Barnier has urged the UK to start "negotiating seriously". A special adviser to Mr Abe, Tomohiko Taniguchi, told BBC Radio 4's Today there was uneasiness about Brexit within the Japanese business community but talk of a crisis in relations was over-stated as Japanese firms had an "inherent preference" for doing business in Britain.
On Monday a senior government official in Tokyo said they wanted the Brexit process to be as predictable and transparent as possible to minimise the disruption for Japanese firms which regard the UK as a bridge to Europe.
Nomura bank, Hitachi and carmakers Honda, Nissan and Toyota all have bases in the UK.Nomura bank, Hitachi and carmakers Honda, Nissan and Toyota all have bases in the UK.
Earlier this year, Nissan said it would build two new models - the new Qashqai and X-Trail - at its Sunderland plant after the government promised that competitiveness would not be damaged by its EU exit. Earlier this year, Nissan said it would build two new models - the new Qashqai and X-Trail - at its Sunderland plant after the government promised that competitiveness would not be damaged by EU withdrawal.