Now, China imposes limit on oil supply to North Korea under UN sanctions

China, the North’s only major ally and diplomatic protector, steps up pressure on Pyongyang over its pursuit of nuclear and missile technology.

Beijing China has announced it will limit oil supplies to North Korea under United Nations sanctions, stepping up pressure on Pyongyang over its pursuit of nuclear and missile technology.

Spectators listen to a television news broadcast of a statement by North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, before a public television screen outside the central railway station in Pyongyang on September 22, 2017. (AFP Photo)

The Commerce Ministry said Saturday that China, the North’s main trading partner and energy supplier, will limit supplies of refined petroleum products starting October 1. It said Beijing also will ban imports of North Korean textiles, one of Pyongyang’s last major sources of foreign revenue following repeated rounds of UN sanctions.

China has long been the North’s only major ally and diplomatic protector but is expressing increasing frustration with the government of Kim Jong Un. Beijing’s status as the North’s main trading partner makes its cooperation critical to the success of economic sanctions.