A Japanese daily says China has urged North Korea to admit the existence of a uranium-based nuclear weapons program.

The United States said North Korea had admitted the existence of the uranium-based nuclear program in October, 2002, but that Pyongyang has been publicly denying the U.S. allegation.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun said Beijing, which had previously supported such claims by Pyongyang, reportedly reversed its stance after the United States presented purported evidence of Pyongyang's uranium- based nuclear weapons program.

The paper also said Beijing is asking the United States to resume energy aid to the North if the communist regime acknowledges its nuclear arms programs and shows a willingness to completely give up its nuclear ambitions.