Two US Air Force B-1B Lancers from Andersen Air Base in Guam and two F-15K Slam Eagles from Daegu Air Base, South Korea, fly over South Korea on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Chinese observers have ruled out the possibility of a ban on overland transportation to North Korea, as South Korea's nuclear envoy is expected to pressure China to impose tougher sanctions on North Korea when he meets his Chinese counterpart in Beijing on Thursday.

Kim Hong-kyun, South Korea's Head of Delegation to the Six-Party Talks and Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, will meet Wu Dawei, his Chinese counterpart, on Thursday to discuss issues related to North Korea's recent nuclear test, the Yonhap News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Observers expect the talks to offer South Korea an opportunity to persuade China to adopt tougher sanctions against Pyongyang.

Resolution 2270 bans marine trade with North Korea and strengthens checks on North Korea's cargo and flights. Kim is likely to push China to adopt an overland transportation ban to completely block trade, Zhang Liangui, a professor on Korean Peninsula issues at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The United Nations Security Council passed the resolution in March 2016, which imposed the toughest sanctions against North Korea so far.

Some non-State-run Chinese companies are doing business with North Korea, and Kim is likely to ask China to expand its ban to all Chinese firms, public or private, said Zhang.

China has imposed as tough sanctions as it can on North Korea, Song Zhongping, a Beijing-based military expert, told the Global Times.

"We even stopped transporting to North Korea auxiliary materials for making nuclear weapons," said Song.

Song added that China cannot completely suspend overland transportation to North Korea because China needs to help sustain the basic needs of the North Korean people. 

Tougher resolution

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and US President Barack Obama on Monday agreed in New York to increase cooperation in the UN Security Council and in law-enforcement channels after North Korea's fifth nuclear test, the White House said.

Meanwhile, foreign ministers from the US, Japan and South Korea released a joint statement on the North Korean nuclear issue in New York ahead of the UN meetings.

The statement said they discussed possible further sanctions on North Korea and are considering other possible measures of their own - in particular, ways to further restrict revenue streams for North Korea's missile and nuclear programs, including through illicit activities, Reuters reported.

"The US, Japan and South Korea are pushing the UN to offer a satisfactory solution on North Korea. But if the UN fails them, they are likely to take action on North Korea regardless of the UN's decision," said Zhang.

It is a crucial time for China as well, and China's influence over North Korea is fading, as North Korea has already conducted many nuclear tests despite China's opposition, said Zhang.

The UN Security Council is currently working on a tougher resolution to punish North Korea for conducting a fifth nuclear test in addition to Resolution 2270, said Yonhap.

More tests?

However, Song said North Korea won't stop at its fifth test.

North Korea has reportedly used large camouflage nets to cover the entrances to two tunnels at its main Punggye-ri nuclear test site, an indication South Korea believes of preparations for future nuclear tests.

"A new round of nuclear tests is a step closer to possible war, for it makes the US believe that North Korea is getting reliable nuclear weapons to do battle with them," said Song.

The US sent two armed strategic bombers to South Korea on Wednesday to further demonstrate its security commitment to its Asian ally, and to warn North Korea, Yonhap reported.

Zhang said the US' decision to fly strategic bombers is not simply to intimidate but also to prepare for possible military sanctions against North Korea.

Parties involved in this issue should enter into talks and remain calm, said Song, adding that China should also prepare to minimize the impact in case the situation further deteriorates.