China said on Tuesday that North Korea should suffer “punitive actions” for its claimed nuclear test, in an apparent retreat from Beijing’s long-standing opposition to international sanctions against Pyongyang.

The extent of the sanctions favoured was still unclear but Wang Guangya, China’s ambassador to the United Nations, said a 13-point US proposal – which included inspections of cargo ships to and from North Korea – provided a “good basis for working”. He added: “There has to be some punitive actions, but these actions have to be appropriate.”