Sanctions against North Korea have been stepped up, following a unanimous vote by the UN Security Council.

China and Russia have accepted watered down sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear tests.

The UN Security Council has unanimously passed its ninth sanctions resolution against the rogue nation, after its sixth and most powerful test.

The resolution includes a ban on the country's lucrative textile exports with China and a cap on much-needed imports of crude oil.

US ambassador to the UN Nikki Hayley says the resolution sends a strong message from the whole international community.

"It's trading partners and the entire international community are united against it's dangerous and illegal actions."

Hayley says North Korea needs to know its actions won't go unpunished.

"Today's resolution builds on what were already the deepest cutting sanctions ever levelled against North Korea, we've been down this road before."