Beijing  - A recent nuclear test by North Korea "undermines peace and stability" in the region, China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday, after voting in favour of new United Nations Security Council measures.

The May 25 test "violates relevant UN Security Council resolutions, impairs the effectiveness of (the) international mechanism of nuclear non-proliferation, and also undermines peace and stability in northeast Asia," Foreign Ministry spokesman, Qin Gang, said in a statement published by the official Xinhua news agency.

In a move away from its previous stance which favoured soft diplomacy over sanctions, China voted alongside other members of the UN Security Council on Friday to impose new financial, military and trade sanctions on North Korea.

China said the new measures were an "appropriate and balanced" response to the nuclear test which was widely condemned by the international community.

At the same time, reverting to previous calls for a moderate, "cool-headed" response, China called on the international community to respect North Korea's "security concerns and development interests."

North Korea "should enjoy the right of peaceful use of nuclear energy after it returns to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons," Qin said in the statement.

China again indicated that it favours dialogue over stricter measures. The Foreign Ministry said sanctions were not the goal of the UN Security Council's action.

China is North Korea's only political ally, and its biggest trade partner. Last year, trade climbed by 41 per cent to 2.8 billion dollars, a much-needed lifeline in a country where much of the population does not get enough to eat.

Fearing the collapse of the North Korean regime could bring refugees flooding across the border, China's leadership has traditionally opposed enforcing harsh economic sanctions on the country.  (dpa)