Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi expressed firm opposition against North Korea's latest nuclear test Tuesday and called for the North's return to suspended six-party denuclearization talks, China's foreign ministry said.

According to a statement posted on the ministry's Web site, Yang called in North Korean ambassador to Beijing Ji Jae-ryong and displayed China’s strong dissatisfaction and stern opposition toward North Korea's third nuclear test conducted earlier in the day.

Yang urged North Korea to stop further escalating the situation and return to the right track of dialogue and consultation as soon as possible, the statement said.

He stressed that China supports a balanced solution to the concerns of all relevant parties in the framework of the six-party talks, it said.

The six-party talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear programs have been suspended since late 2008. The talks involve the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia.

Following the North's nuclear test, China issued a statement, apparently criticizing the North's nuclear test. (Yonhap News)

"We strongly urge the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to honor its commitment to denuclearization, not to take action that may worsen the situation," China's foreign ministry said in the statement. DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"Despite widespread opposition of the international community, the DPRK conducted another nuclear test. The Chinese government has expressed its firm opposition to the test."

The statement further said that denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, preventing nuclear proliferation, and maintaining peace and stability in Northeast Asia have been the Chinese side's firm positions.

China, however, also called on relevant parties to respond calmly to the situation.

"Maintenance of peace and stability on the peninsula and Northeast Asia in line with the common interests of all parties.

The Chinese government calls on all parties to respond calmly and solve the problem of denuclearization of the peninsula through dialogue and consultation in the framework of the six-party talks," the foreign ministry said.