UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson has acknowledged China's role in helping the United Nations denuclearize North Korea. Eliasson made the remark on Friday in Beijing during his first visit to China in his role of deputy UN chief.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Mr.Jan Eliasson (R), with the company of Renata Lok Dessallien, UN's Residential Coordinator in China, meet the press in Beijing on February 22. [Photo / China.org.cn]

Eliasson denied possessing any knowledge that North Korea is planning another nuclear test, saying the United Nations has received no such confirmations. Nevertheless, he hoped that there would be some measure of restraint to re-establish calm on this "very important issue that has dangerous implications," and "avoid escalation."

"There is a major responsibility for the DPRK government. We hope there will be a road back as soon as possible to a political process. There is an instrument in the Six-Party talks. And there is a need for diplomacy to make sure that dangerous escalation does not take place," he said.

"This region has been characterized by stability, economic growth. It's a powerhouse not only to Asia, but to the world, so that China and the UN are both interested in seeing a denuclearized North Korea," said Eliasson.

After North Korea's latest nuclear test on February 12, the UN Security Council (UNSC) has been mulling more severe sanctions against North Korea. Eliasson made it clear that the Security Council works independently. Either Ban Ki-moon or he himself are part of the council's deliberation process and only agree with any adapted resolution accordingly.

"I am sure China is doing their best to communicate and a diplomatic path will be found," he said, but at the same time he admitted China does not have unlimited influence over North Korea.

Earlier, China noted it did not have unlimited influence over North Korea, but Eliasson said China was only keeping "a low profile and did not wish to exaggerate its influence on DPRK," because China has easier access to North Korea, a country often difficult to reach both literally as well as in a figure of speech.

The visiting UN deputy chief has acknowledged China's efforts in restoring peace in North Korea, but he would rather let China articulate its own attitude regarding any future North Korea-oriented policies.

He said humanitarian assistance to North Korea is another major field in which China can join hands with other countries within the UN framework.

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