UNITED NATIONS, May 26 (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council will vote on Thursday (May 26) on a US push to strengthen sanctions on North Korea over its renewed ballistic missile launches, a move that China, which has veto power, said would not solve any problems.

The vote comes a day after Pyongyang fired three missiles, including one thought to be its largest intercontinental ballistic missile, following US President Joe Biden's trip to Asia. It was the latest in a string of ballistic missile launches this year, which are banned by the Security Council.

The draft resolution would "further restrict North Korea's ability to advance its unlawful WMD (weapons of mass destruction) and ballistic missile programs, it would streamline sanctions implementation and further facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need", a US official said.

North Korea has been subjected to UN sanctions since 2006, which the Security Council has steadily - and unanimously - stepped up over the years to cut off funding for Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

But China and Russia have been pushing for an easing of sanctions on humanitarian grounds. A resolution needs nine "yes" votes and no vetoes by Russia, China, France, Britain or the United States.

"We don't think a resolution as proposed by the US can solve any problems," a spokesperson for China's UN mission told Reuters, adding that China had instead proposed that the council adopt a formal statement instead of a sanctions resolution.

The spokesperson said the United States knows "the best way for de-escalation, but simply resists it". China has said Washington should show "more sincerity and flexibility" if it wants a breakthrough with North Korea.