China on Tuesday released a list of goods banned for export to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), as the items could be used to develop weapons of mass destruction.

The ban, with immediate effect, follows UN Security Council resolutions, said the Ministry of Commerce website.

The list names dozens of banned items including metal hydrides, laser-welding equipment and plasma cutting equipment.

It also bans the exports of a dozen chemicals that could be used in the production of "chemical warfare agents".

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution in March in response to the DPRK's nuclear test in January and attempted satellite launch in February.