The United States on Tuesday welcomed China's decision to ban exports to North Korea of a series of so-called "dual-use" items that can be used not only for civilian, but also for military purposes, such as nuclear and missile development.

China's Commerce Ministry announced the measure earlier Tuesday, adding about 40 items to the list of items banned for export to the communist neighbor. The ministry said the decision was part of efforts to implement the latest U.N. Security Council sanctions resolution.

"The United States and China agree on the fundamental importance of a denuclearized North Korea, and we welcomed China's agreement on the strongest sanctions the Security Council has imposed in a generation," State Department spokeswoman Anna Richey-Allen told Yonhap News Agency.

"Chinese officials have made clear that they intend to implement the resolution. These measures appear to be a step toward following through on those commitments," she said of Tuesday's decision.

China is considered the key to implementation of sanctions on Pyongyang as trade with China accounts for nearly 90 percent of North Korea's total trade. China also provides the impoverished neighbor with fuel and other economic assistance.

Beijing condemned the North's fourth nuclear test in January and the long-range rocket launch the following month, and endorsed the toughest-ever U.N. Security Council sanctions on Pyongyang adopted in March, raising hope China may use its leverage over Pyongyang.

But skeptics say that China is unlikely to impose crippling sanctions on the North as it fears that pushing Pyongyang too hard could lead to its collapse, instability on its border and the ultimate emergence of a pro-U.S. nation. (Yonhap)