China bans imports of DPRK raw minerals, aviation fuel exports

World Today

In this Feb. 26, 2016 photo, North Koreans load goods on a dockyard with a Chinese and DPRK national flags in Sinuiju, DPRK, as seen from Dandong in northeastern China’s Liaoning province. (Chinatopix via AP)

China on Tuesday announced embargoes on some imports from and exports to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

CCTV America’s Roee Ruttenberg reports.

In terms of imports, China banned purchases of coal, iron ore, gold, rare earths and several other raw minerals. Exports of aviation fuel to the DPRK are also no longer allowed.

The bans, with immediate effect, follow the U.N. Security Council’s resolutions, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on its website.

The statement said the embargoes allow some imports of DPRK coal, iron and iron ore for civilian use, but any trade related to the DPRK’s nuclear or missile programs is banned.

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution last month in response to the DPRK’s nuclear and missile program following its nuclear test in January and satellite launch in February.

Story by Xinhua News Agency.