China's imports from North Korea sink as coal ban bites

Record ID: 875704

  • Title: China's imports from North Korea sink as coal ban bites
  • Date: 23rd May 2017
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (MAY 23, 2017) (REUTERS) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN HUA CHUNYING WALKING IN FOR A REGULAR BRIEFING REPORTER WRITING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN, HUA CHUNYING, SAYING: "Under the precondition of not going against U.N. resolutions, we have normal business and trade exchanges with all other parties including North Korea. Our relevant measures completely prove that China is faithfully fulfilling U.N. resolutions. We're not inadvertently doing this for others to see or to offer proof for others to see. This is our international obligation as a responsible member of the international community and permanent member of the U.N. Security Council." BRIEFING IN PROGRESS EXTERIOR OF THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY CHINESE NATIONAL FLAG FLYING
  • Embargoed: 6th June 2017 09:48
  • Keywords: China-North Korea trade trade economy North Korea China imports from North Korea
  • Location: BEIJING, CHINA
  • City: BEIJING, CHINA
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0016I26FYD
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: China's foreign ministry on Tuesday (May 23) reaffirmed its commitment to conducting business with North Korea in line with restrictions stipulated by the U.N. after data showed the country's imports of goods from the isolated country fell in April below $100 million to the lowest in nearly three years.
    Tuesday's data indicates that China's halt of North Korean coal imports on Feb. 26 is having an impact and curbing Pyongyang's ability to raise hard currency through exports.
    Neighbouring China is North Korea's biggest trade partner and the source of much of its badly needed foreign currency. It is also North Korea's chief ally but has become increasingly frustrated by Pyongyang's provocative behaviour. Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying added that the figures did not indicate Beijing was sending a signal to the outside world.
    The world's second-largest economy bought goods worth $99.3 million in April from North Korea, the lowest monthly tally since at least June 2014, according to Chinese customs data. Previous data was not available. That compares with $114.6 million in March and $167.7 million a year earlier.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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