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The Chinese estimates of Pyongyang's nuclear production,
relayed to U.S. nuclear specialists, exceed most previous U.S.
forecasts, which range from 10 to 16 bombs currently, said the
report, which cited people briefed on the matter.
Experts at the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins
University's School of Advanced International Studies earlier
this year presented three scenarios for North Korea's nuclear
capability, predicting its stockpile of weapons could grow to
20, 50 or 100 within five years.
North Korea has conducted three nuclear detonations, the most
recent in February 2013.
Asked about the report at a regular press briefing on Thursday,
China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said he "did not
have knowledge of the specific situation".
"We must persevere with denuclearization on the Korean
peninsula, persevere in safeguarding peace and stability, and
persevere in resolving the relevant issue through dialogue,"
Hong said.
Early this month, U.S. Admiral William Gortney, commander of the
U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense
Command, said the U.S. military believes North Korea has the
ability to miniaturize a warhead and mount it on a ballistic
missile, although there had been no tests.
(Reporting by Tony Munroe in Seoul and Adam Rose in Beijng;
Editing by Paul Tait and Simon Cameron-Moore)
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