NEW YORK (Kyodo) Although Japan is still pushing for a U.N. Security Council resolution in response to North Korea's suspected missile test last weekend, Beijing, Pyongyang's closest ally, will probably foreclose on the chance of any binding decision, diplomatic sources said Tuesday.

Japan, whose territory the rocket flew over, has been pressing intensely for a resolution since the UNSC convened Sunday. But China has only proposed issuing a nonbinding statement, which would only be read out to the press by the Security Council president. A resolution can only be vetoed by Britain, China, France, the United States or Russia.

China has indicated that pushing North Korea too far will negatively impact the six-party talks aimed at ending the North's nuclear weapons program, the sources said.