Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang attends a regular press briefing on February 22.

China said on Thursday it is investigating a Japanese report that a ship marked with Chinese characters may have transferred cargo to a North Korean vessel in a potential violation of UN sanctions on the high seas.

Japan said late on Tuesday that a military patrol plane and an escort vessel observed the alleged transfer in the East China Sea last week.

"China attaches high importance to the situation and is currently investigating this," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular press briefing. 

"China fully and strictly enforces UN resolutions and shoulders its international responsibilities. Recently, the relevant (Chinese) authorities issued a public notice demanding the strict prohibition of ship-to-ship trafficking in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions," Geng said.

He added that China would deal with any individuals or businesses suspected of violating the resolutions "in strict accordance with China's laws and regulations, based on all evidence."