China is considering the release of 11 North Korean defectors apprehended on Tuesday in South Korea, an unusual move that could signal a shift from the country's repatriation policy to a more humanitarian approach.

Relations between the long-time allies have been strained in recent weeks following North Korea's persistence with its missile test launches and nuclear program, much to China's growing frustration.

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While China has not made a decision on the fate of the 11 defectors currently detained at a Tumen detention center near the China-North Korea border, Chinese officials said they would consider the South's request to release the detainees from a humanitarian perspective.

The defectors - most of whom were in their 20s and 30s, including a 4-year-old child - left Bocheon, Ryanggang province on Aug. 7, and passed through Qingdao in Shandong. They arrived at Yunnan province's Kunming three days after. The following morning, the group boarded a bus headed for the Laos-China border, but was detained at a checkpoint by Chinese troops.

Human rights groups have repeatedly urged China to reconsider its repatriation policy, citing severe punishments for repatriated defectors.

"Persons who are forcibly repatriated from China are commonly subjected to torture, arbitrary detention, summary execution and other forms of sexual violence," the United Nations said.

For years, China has been strictly abiding by its repatriation policy.

On Tuesday, Beijing turned over to Pyongyang 20 defectors it caught last month. The group had reportedly consisted of four families, including a baby and a 60-year-old couple.

But Sky News agency said China and South Korea are discussing the former's repatriation policy, including the 10 defectors it recently caught.

A diplomat from the South Korean embassy in Beijing told Sky News that the matter is being discussed, but declined to elaborate, citing security concerns.

If China decides to release the defectors to South Korea, it is unclear how this will affect ties with longtime ally North Korea.

It must be noted, however, that while Beijing has been recently taking a hardline stance against Pyongyang, observers note China's reluctance for concrete action. It may just be sending a message to North Korea not to push China too far, said former top U.S. State Department officer, Evans Revere.

TagsNorth Korea, Human Rights, North Korean defectors, Repatriation