Shorten urges China to act on North Korea

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says China should exert "influence" over North Korea following revelations the communist state launched a failed missile test from the city of Sinpo.

Mr Shorten also told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday he was grateful for the "strong presence" of the United States in the Pacific region.

"We do need, I think, countries in the region, including China, to exert what influence they have on North Korea," he said.

"I think there's a good opportunity here for a China to demonstrate in its emergence in the world that it can have a positive influence on its close neighbours."

He declined to comment on whether US President Donald Trump's online comments had been "incendiary", instead stating the "provocative conduct" started with North Korea.