China’s exports to North Korea rise sharply in March

CHINA’S overall exports to North Korea in March rose sharply compared with the same month last year for the second month in a row, with the major export items including rice, Chinese customs data showed on Friday (Apr 21).

Chinese outbound shipments to the isolated country surged 141.7 per cent year on year last month following a 161.5 per cent leap in January-February, data released by China’s General Administration of Customs showed.

Rice was the most imported commodity by value, totalling US$22 million. The country also imported around US$8 million in artificial wigs and US$7 million in tobacco.

China’s foreign ministry said last month that relations between China and North Korea had entered “a new historic period” in recent years and continued to develop under the “strategic leadership” of both countries.

China’s new ambassador to North Korea, Wang Yajun, arrived in the North on Mar 27. REUTERS