The United Nations Security Council meets on threats to international peace and security, June 8, at the United Nations headquarters. AP-Yonhap

China and Russia defended their vetoes of a strongly backed U.S resolution that would have imposed tough new sanctions on North Korea at a first-ever General Assembly meeting Wednesday that is now required for any measure that sparks a veto in the Security Council by one of its five permanent members.

The close allies reiterated their opposition to more sanctions, blaming the United States for rising tensions on the Korean peninsula and insisting that what's needed now is dialogue between North Korea and the Biden administration.

Nearly 70 countries signed up to speak at the open meeting which General Assembly President Abdalla Shahid hailed as making the U.N. more efficient and accountable. ''It is with good reason that it has been coined as revolutionary by several world leaders I have recently met,'' he said.

Denmark's U.N. Ambassador Martin Bille Hermann told the 193-member world body as he started his address on behalf of the Nordic countries: ''History is being made today.''

The Security Council is entrusted with ensuring international peace and security, he said, and the use of a veto to prevent the council from discharging its duties ''is a matter of great concern.''

The General Assembly's adoption of a resolution April 26 requiring a debate on the issue not only gives the country or countries casting a veto to explain their reason but it gives all U.N. member nations ''a welcome opportunity to share our views on the matter at hand,'' Hermann said.

A united Security Council imposed sanctions after North Korea's first nuclear weapon test in 2006 and tightened them over the years in a total of 10 resolutions seeking ― so far unsuccessfully ― to rein in its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and cut off funding.

The 13-2 Security Council vote, May 26, marked a first serious division among its five veto-wielding permanent members ― China, Russia, the United States, Britain and France ― on a North Korea sanctions resolution.

On Sunday, North Korea launched eight short-range missiles in what appeared to be a single-day record for the country's ballistic launches. It was the reclusive north Asian country's 18th series of missile tests in 2022 that included its first launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles in nearly five years.

U.S. Deputy Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis told the assembly the record number of launches have taken place as North Korea ''is finalizing preparations for a potential seventh nuclear test.''