A Chinese source in Seoul says Beijing is persuading North Korea in its own way to promtly return to the six-way nuclear talks.

It also said Beijing is making efforts to build trust between Washington and Pyongyang.

It explained that Chinese President Hu Jintao's earlier comment on a "new situation" refers to the recent war of words between the U-S and North Korean leadership as well as Beijing's proposal to reconvene the disarmament talks.

The source said it's important to refrain from provocative remarks and to maintain calm in relations.

It went on to say that President Hu's planned visit to the North should somehow produce tangible results, adding that a convenient date for both sides is being decided at the moment.

Despite U-S Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's recent acknowledgements of North Korea's sovereignty, the source pointed out that such remarks are different from a security guarantee or a promise that the U-S would not attack the North.

It said such a pledge and the normalizing of diplomatic ties with the U-S is North Korea's number-one wish.

It also dismissed as 'unconfirmed' reports of North Korean preparations for a nuclear test.

On possible U-S sanctions on the North, the source called undesirable the use of forcible means or military power as a method to end the atomic standoff, adding that both the U-S and North Korea need to make concessions.