China on Saturday urged restraint on the Korean peninsula and a resumption of talks on North Korea's nuclear program as soon as possible.

North Korea has in recent months sought to push the United States into agreeing to resume the talks on its nuclear program, but Washington and Seoul insist Pyongyang must first show a tangible commitment to denuclearization.

"The six party talks remain the only viable and effective way to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the UN General Assembly.

"The pressing task now is to restart the talks as soon as possible," Wang added.

The aid-for-denuclearization talks involving both Koreas, China, the US, Russia and Japan have been at a standstill since 2009.

"The parties concerned should all exercise restraint, refrain from making provocations, do more things that will help ease tension, and jointly uphold peace and stability on the Korean peninsula," said Wang.

North Korea's Supreme Court earlier this month sentenced a US citizen to six years hard labor for "hostile acts," amid accusations that Pyongyang is seeking to extract political concessions from Washington.