China’s imports from North Korea fall as sanctions start to bite
Beijing has curbed purchases of coal from North Korea as part of efforts to pressure Pyongyang into ending its nuclear weapons programme
China’s imports of North Korean goods fell below US$100 million to fresh multi-year lows last month, accelerating a months-long decline after Beijing stopped coal shipments from its isolated neighbour, according to customs data released on Tuesday.
Analysts said the trend was likely to continue, but China was also dealing cautiously with Pyongyang, leaving room for the regime to return to talks.
China imported US$99.3 million worth of goods from North Korea in April, the lowest amount since at least June 2014, and down on the US$114.6 million for March and US$167.7 million a year earlier.
The decline was due in large part to China’s decision in February to ban imports of North Korean coal, Pyongyang’s main export commodity.
But China’s imports of North Korean iron ore rose in April to 285 million tonnes, the highest level since August 2014 and up 10 per cent on March. It was also a 158.4 per cent increase on the same time last year.
The coal ban was part of United Nations Security Council sanctions passed in response to Pyongyang’s repeated missile and nuclear tests. North Korea said on Monday it successfully tested what it called an intermediate-range ballistic missile.