Saying sanctions and pressure can't resolve the ongoing North Korea's nuclear issue, China Tuesday called upon its six-party member nations- North Korea, South Korea, Russia, U.S. and Japan to resume the talks in view of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Attending the four-day International Atomic Energy Agency Meeting in Vienna, China stressed that imposing sanctions upon the North Korea won't be the right solution to resolve the nuclear issue.

According to the Chinese State News Agency Xinhua, the Chinese delegation at the meeting said that all sides concerned must try to ease the tensions in the region by promoting dialogue instead of imposing sanctions.

Under the umbrella of the 15-nation Security Council, U.S. and China vowed to go for a voting to draft sanctions resolution Thursday.

"We support action taken by the council, but we think that action should be proportionate, should be balanced and focused on bringing down the tension and focusing on the diplomatic track," Reuters quoted China's U.N. Ambassador Li Baodong, as saying.

"A strong signal must be sent out that a nuclear test is against the will of the international community," said Li.

China is North Korea's closest ally and China in the past has been repulsive in imposing sanctions on its ally but China in recent times publicly declared its opposition against the latest nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

North Korea February 12 held its third nuclear test since 2006 inviting heavy criticisms from South Korea, U.S. and other members of international community including UN.

In response to an ongoing U.S. - South Korea joint military exercise, Pyongyang government Tuesday threatened to nullify the Korean War Armistice Agreement.

After the North Korea's threat, South Korea Wednesday hit back saying that it will 'sternly' retaliate against North Korea if Pyongyang government takes any provocative actions.

"If the North (DPRK) goes through with provocation that threatens lives and stability of our nation, our military will strongly and sternly punish the starting point of provocation and supporters for the provocation as well as its leadership," said Kim Yong-Hyun, South Korean Army Major General at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to Reuters.

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