Chinese authorities say they hope the newly-adopted UN Security Council resolution on North Korea can be fully implemented.

The council unanimously adopted the resolution on Wednesday, imposing much tougher sanctions on Pyongyang for its recent nuclear test and rocket launch.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei has stressed that the sanctions are not an end in themselves, and only dialog and negotiation can fundamentally solve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

"China hopes this resolution should be implemented comprehensively and seriously. Meanwhile, harm to livelihoods and humanitarian needs in North Korea should be avoided, which is also a key part of the resolution. The sanction itself is not the goal. Only through dialogue and discussions will it be possible to fundamentally solve the nuclear issues in North Korea."

The resolution includes a ban on all exports of coal, iron, iron ore, gold, titanium ore, vanadium ore and rare earth metals from North Korea.

It also puts a ban on supplying all types of aviation fuel, including rocket fuel, to Pyongyang.

At the same time, the Foreign Ministry spokesman also noted that China is still making efforts to resume the stalled Six-Party Talks.

"As the host state of the Six-Party Talks, China has been considering how to resume the talks by consistently adhering to an objective and fair perspective. China has already put forward the approach of advancing denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula in parallel with the transition from an armistice to a peace agreement, according to the latest circumstances. We are willing to engage in in-depth discussion with each side over how to carry out this approach."

Following Wednesday's resolution, North Korea has fired six short-range projectiles in an apparent show of force.

South Korea says the projectiles were fired into the East Sea, flying about 100 to 150 kilometers.

They are believed to be short-range missiles or shells from rocket launchers.

A similar launch happened in June last year.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei called for restraint from all parties concerned, reiterating Beijing's objection to a ballistic missile defense system which is planned to be deployed in South Korea.

"Given the complicated and sensitive situation of the Korean Peninsula, we hope each side avoids taking any actions that may create regional tensions. China opposes the deployment of THAAD, and hopes countries discussing the missile system's deployment will be prudent."

South Korea and the United States are scheduled to kick off their joint annual war games on March 7th, running right through the month of April.

It is widely expected to cause a strong backlash from Pyongyang, which has denounced the exercises as a dress rehearsal for a northward invasion.