China said Tuesday it supports a U.N. resolution against North Korea's nuclear test and long-range rocket launch this year, although it is still unclear how far Beijing will go in punishing its isolated ally Pyongyang.

China's foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks when asked about the outcome of the Tuesday talks in Seoul between South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam and his Chinese counterpart Zhang Yesui.

U.N. Security Council members remain divided over how to punish North Korea for its fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6 and Feb. 7 rocket launch, with China, one of five veto-wielding council members, reluctant to put crippling sanctions on North Korea.

"We support a new resolution to be adopted by the U.N. Security Council," Hong told reporters during a regular press briefing.

"Our purpose is to prevent North Korea from further developing nuclear and missile programs," Hong said. "We hope that actions taken by the U.N. Security Council must have a definite direction." Hong did not elaborate further.

Winning China's cooperation is the key in enforcing stronger sanctions against North Korea's nuclear and missile programs because China is the North's economic lifeline.

But Beijing has been reluctant to put crippling sanctions on Pyongyang because a sudden collapse of the regime could spark a refugee crisis at its border and lead to a pro-U.S., democratic Korea on its doorstep, analysts say.

Defense officials in Seoul told Yonhap News Agency that four U.S. F-22 stealth fighter jets will fly over South Korea on Wednesday in a show of force against North Korea's latest provocations.

Asked about the reported mission of the U.S. warplanes, Hong replied, "The current situation on the Korean Peninsula is complex and sensitive. China hopes that relevant parties could do more to relieve tensions." (Yonhap)