Beijing agrees, for the first time, to enforce a UN-mandated travel ban on senior North Korean officials for its defiance over UN ban on nuclear and missile test.

China's deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Liu Zhenmin, said in an interview on Monday that his government would back a travel ban and asset freeze on most of the 15 North Korea officials mentioned earlier by western powers as targets of the new UN sanctions.

Liu did not name the targeted North Korean officials but explained that the "senior" officilas work on the country's nuclear and missile programs.

China's agreement would clear the way for another UN Security Council resolution this week, imposing sanctions against the country's officials and firms, as well as materials that might contribute to the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

North Korea fired four short- and medium-range missiles on July 2 and seven on July 4.

Ties between Pyongyang and the outside world have grown extremely tense since the testing of missiles and nuclear devices by the North on May 25.

MVZ/MB/DT