Li reiterated China's stance as expressed in an earlier statement issued after an announcement by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) that it has conducted an underground nuclear test, the ministry said.

"The DPRK ignored universal opposition of the international community and flagrantly conducted the nuclear test on Oct. 9. The Chinese government is resolutely opposed to it," the statement said.

It said China strongly demands that the DPRK live up to its commitment to non-nuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, stop any activity that may worsen the situation and return to the six-party talks.

It has been the firm, unshakable and consistent stance of the Chinese government to realize non-nuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and oppose proliferation of nuclear weapons, the statement said.

The Chinese government calls for calm response from all parties concerned and urges them to stick to peaceful resolution of the issue through consultations and dialogues, the statement said.

It said that maintaining peace and stability in the Northeast Asia region conforms to the common interests of all parties concerned.

The nuclear test, the first of such performed by the DPRK, came about a week after the country announced it would undertake an unprecedented atomic test under the condition where safety is firmly guaranteed.

The official Korean Central News Agency reported that there was no such danger as radioactive emission in the test as it was carried out under a scientific consideration and with careful calculation.

In a statement issued last Tuesday, the DPRK Foreign Ministry said the country "will never use nuclear weapons first."