China's exports to North Korea return to growth in November

China’s shipments to North Korea increased in November after declining the previous month, according to Chinese customs statistics released on Wednesday, as Pyongyang reopens its economy following the epidemic.

Chinese shipments to North Korea increased 18.3% over October, the fastest increase since April, according to data supplied by China’s General Administration of Customs. Shipments declined 11.2% in October compared to the previous month.

China’s shipments to North Korea increased by 94.3% in November compared to the same month a year ago, following a 40.9% increase in October.

The main Chinese exports to the isolated state were processed hair and wool for wigs, granulated sugar, and soybean oil.

China’s exports to North Korea increased 147% year on year in the first 11 months of the year, reaching $1.78 billion.

North Korea has permitted Chinese official delegations to visit and has resumed flights between Pyongyang and Beijing as it gradually opens up following the pandemic.

North Korean Air Koryo flights between Pyongyang and the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang restarted for the first time in nearly four years on December 13, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

During a meeting in Beijing on Monday between China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and North Korean Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Pak Myong Ho, Wang stated that Beijing is eager to improve two-way communication and coordination while deepening exchanges and cooperation.

North Korea is officially China’s only ally. Both are bound by a treaty signed in 1961 to take all necessary measures, including military assistance, to help each other in the event of an attack or an attempted attack by a third country.

North Korea on Monday fired an intercontinental ballistic missile that has a range to hit anywhere in the United States, said South Korea and Japan.