N Korean state media say China dancing to US tune

North Korea's state-run news agency issued a tough critique of China today, suggesting Beijing's criticism of the North's recent missile test and suspension of imports of North Korean coal are tantamount to the actions of an enemy state "dancing to the tune of the US."

The article took a tone normally reserved for North Korea's overt enemies - Washington, Tokyo and Seoul.

Without directly using China's name, but referring to it as "a neighboring country, which often claims itself to be a 'friendly neighbor,'" the Korean Central News Agency report accused Beijing of essentially abandoning North Korea in favor of the United States by cutting off imports of coal in compliance with United Nations sanctions.

"This country, styling itself a big power, is dancing to the tune of the US while defending its mean behavior with such excuses that it (the suspension of coal imports) was meant not to have a negative impact on the living of the people in the DPRK but to check its nuclear program," it said.

DPRK is short for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

It added that China has "unhesitatingly taken inhumane steps" to comply with UN sanctions.

The article, uncharacteristically for news agency, carried a byline, Jong Phil.