Chinese president Hu, Obama discuss situation in Korea

Beijing: Chinese state media says President Barack Obama have discussed the ongoing crisis on the Korean Peninsula with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao in a phone call.

No details were given of the Wednesday discussion, which comes amid efforts by the US to enlist Chinese support for a tough new United Nations Security Council resolution in response to North Korea's detonation of a nuclear device last week.

Pyongyang's allies China and Russia have raised questions about possible new sanctions against North Korea, according to diplomats. Pyongyang has said it will not accept any punishment and has warned it won't respect the 1953 truce that ended the Korean War if it is provoked.

The official Xinhua News Agency said the two leaders also discussed bilateral ties.