Chinese President Hu Jintao's special Envoy, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, left Beijing Wednesday (Oct 11th), kicking off his working visit to the United States and Russia, the Foreign Ministry said.

Tang left for the United States on Wednesday. After his visit to the U.S., he will pay a working visit to Russia, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Chinese President Hu Jintao late on Monday held phone talks with U.S. President George W. Bush, exchanging views on bilateral ties and the nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

According to a report by the official Korean Central News Agency, the DPRK conducted an underground nuclear test on Oct. 9.

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement Monday, saying the China is resolutely opposed to DPRK's nuclear test, and strongly demands the DPRK live up to its commitment to non-nuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, stop any activity that may worsen the situation and return to the six-party talks.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao on Tuesday urged parties concerned to remain cool-headed and make efforts to resolve the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue within the framework of six-party talks.

Editor: Donald