China has urged North Korea to end missile tests, a rare warning from its traditional diplomatic ally after the UN imposed its strongest sanctions in a generation on the rogue regime.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the demand during a meeting he held with Ri Yong-ho, North Korea's top diplomat, at a regional political gathering in the Philippines.

Mr Wang did not say how Mr Ri responded during their talks on Sunday, a day after a UN unanimously passed a resolution banning North Korean exports and limiting investments in the nuclear armed state.