China orders North Korean companies to close down to implement UN sanctions
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BEIJING - China has ordered North Korean companies operating in the country to close down as Beijing begins to implement the United Nations sanctions adopted against Pyongyang over its sixth and most powerful nuclear test earlier this month.
China’s Commerce Ministry said Thursday that companies representing North Korea in China, either owned by Pyongyang or operating as joint ventures, would have 120 days from the UN’s September 11 resolution to cease their activities in China.
China said a few days ago that it would enforce other sanctions adopted by the UN after North Korea’s nuclear test on September 3. The punitive measures include imposing a cap on the exports of refined petroleum products to North Korea as of October 1 and banning imports of textiles from Pyongyang.
North Korean officials have yet to comment on China’s new bans, which are expected to be biting as Pyongyang relies significantly on Beijing as an ally in economic and security issues. China is North Korea’s biggest trading partner as it accounts for around 90 percent of the country’s commerce.
