China defends its trade with North Korea as permitted by UN (Report)

BEIJING –  China has defended its trade with North Korea as permitted by U.N. Security Council resolutions that say sanctions imposed over the North’s nuclear and missile programs should avoid hurting “humanitarian needs.”

A foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, said Monday that China “strictly implements” sanctions. Beijing has banned imports of North Korean coal, iron ore, seafood and textiles.

China is the North’s main trading partner. Customs data show Chinese exports to North Korea rose 31.4 percent in August from a year earlier while imports fell 9.5 percent.

Geng said: “China always strictly implements North Korea-related Security Council resolutions in their entirety.”

He added: “The Security Council pointed out that the relevant resolutions should not inflict negative impacts on the livelihood and humanitarian needs of North Korea.”