Both Russia and China have responded to last evening’s nuclear and missile tests by North Korea, expressing their displeasure with the news.

The People’s Republic of China said it was “resolutely opposed” to the DPRK’s nuclear test, urging its ally to halt any future actions that could worsen the situation. Reports indicate that Beijing was notified of an upcoming test by Pyongyang, though its not clear if that information was passed on to other intelligence officials.

Russia was actually tougher in its rhetoric against North Korea. Moscow said that the nuclear test threatens regional stability, reminded the international community that the test violates UNSC resolutions, and “is a blow to non-proliferation efforts”.

We shall see what the UNSC manages to come up with (if anything at all) later today. Odds remain that the council will issue a watered-down resolution accomplishing nothing but spreading more empty rhetoric.

Update: It’s a busy morning. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called the nuclear test claim by North Korea a disturbing development which, if true, clearly violates its UN Security Council obligations. He also said that, “such a test would adversely affect nuclear disarmament negotiations and undermine peace and security in the region.”

How well were those disarmament negotiations going? North Korea pulled out of the Six Party talks after the UN slapped it on the wrist for launching long-range ballistic missiles in violation of international law last month. Last night’s tests included both the detination of a nuclear device and the launch of short-range ballistic missiles.