The UN Security Council's recent resolution on North Korea's nuclear test not only made clear the international community's firm opposition but also sent a positive signal that there is still room for a peaceful solution, China's Foreign Ministry said.

"The Chinese Government is firmly opposed to this act by the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea]," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement on June 13. "By conducting another nuclear test, the DPRK violated the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, impaired the effectiveness of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and affected regional peace and stability."

The day before, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution condemning "in the strongest terms" North Korea's nuclear test in May and imposing new sanctions on the country. North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in October 2006, prompting the Security Council to pass Resolution 1718, which introduced a series of economic and commercial sanctions.

China supports an appropriate and balanced reaction from the Security Council to the recent nuclear test, Qin said, adding that it had taken part in discussions on the resolution with a responsible and constructive attitude.

"The Security Council action is not all about sanctions, and political and diplomatic means is the only way to resolve the relevant issues on the Korean Peninsula," he said.

In its newly adopted Resolution 1784, the Security Council called on states and international credit and financial institutions not to enter into new commitments for grants, financial assistance or concessional loans to North Korea, except for humani-tarian and developmental purposes or the promotion of denuclearization. It also created a framework for cargo inspection.

"Countries need to act prudently in strict accordance with domestic and international laws, and under the precondition of reasonable grounds and sufficient evidence," said Zhang Yesui, China's Permanent Representative to the UN, while explaining China's vote at the Security Council. "All parties should refrain from any words or deeds that may exacerbate the conflict. Under no circumstances should there be use or threat of force."

The action of the Security Council should not adversely impact the livelihood and development of the DPRK or humanitarian assistance to the country, he added.

China believes that the sovereignty, territorial integrity and legitimate security concerns and development interests of the DPRK as a sovereign country and UN member should be respected, Qin said. After its return to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the DPRK will enjoy the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, he said.

Under the current circumstances, the Chinese Government calls on all parties concerned to remain calm and restrained and persist in seeking a peaceful solution through consultation and dialogue, Qin said.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said at a press briefing that the "extremely tough resolution" passed on June 12 showed incredible unity among Security Council members. The United States is going to be focused on implementing the resolution, he said.

Both Russia and South Korea welcomed the resolution, according to media reports. Japan also called for its implementation. "We demand North Korea take seriously the international community's unbending message in the resolution and comply with it," the Xinhua News Agency quoted Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso as saying in a statement shortly after the resolution's adoption.

North Korea "opposed and denounced" the Security Council resolution in a statement issued by its Foreign Ministry. It also vowed to produce more nuclear weapons. Pak Jae Gyong, Vice Minister of the DPRK People's Armed Forces, warned that North Korea would launch a preemptive attack against the United States at a mass rally attended by some 10,000 people to protest against the resolution in the capital city of Pyongyang on June 15.