Wen Jiabao, China’s premier, said that “diplomacy and dialogue” were the only weapons available to defuse the North Korean nuclear crisis amid speculation that Beijing was willing to pressure Pyongyang by cutting vital oil supplies.

Mr Wen’s comments, ahead of a meeting with Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, reflected China’s careful public diplomacy aimed at drawing North Korea back to the negotiating table after its nuclear test two weeks ago.