The Chinese government is resolutely opposed to the nuclear test by North Korea, Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday.

According to a report by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea conducted a successful underground nuclear test on Monday.

"North Korea 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 North Korea 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 achieve non-nuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and oppose the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the statement said.

The Chinese government called for calm from all parties concerned and urged them to stick to a peaceful resolution through consultation and dialogue, the statement said.

It said that maintaining peace and stability in the Northeast Asia region conforms to the common interests of all parties concerned and China will continue to make unremitting efforts to this end.

Chinese Foreign Minister?Li Zhaoxing?talked via telephone with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday afternoon, exchanging views on the latest development of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, during which Li reiterated China's solemn position on the issue as announced in the Foreign Ministry's statement.

The nuclear test, the first conducted by North Korea, came about a week after the country announced it would undertake an unprecedented atomic test to guarantee its own safety.

KCNA 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, North Korean Foreign Ministry said the country "will never use nuclear weapons first."

The test drew immediate condemnation from the international community.

The United Nations Security Council is to hold an emergency meeting in a closed session Monday to discuss the issue.

A spokesman of South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun said Monday that South Korea would respond sternly to North Korea's nuclear test.

It is reported that Japan and the United States are preparing to submit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council if North Korea's nuclear test is confirmed. This would match Japan's statement last Friday, stating it would seek a Security Council resolution on sanctions against North Korea if it carried out a nuclear test.

(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2006)