China to implement latest UN sanctions on N.Korea

China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Friday it will implement the latest UN Security Council’s sanctions on North Korea for its missile test starting Saturday.

The ministry, together with China’s General Administration of Customs, released a statement on Friday, saying that China would implement UN Security Council Resolution 2397 by launching a complete export ban of iron, steel and other metals, as well as industrial machinery and transport vehicles.

China will also limit exports of oil and refined petroleum products to North Korea as required by the UN resolution, the statement said.

Resolution 2397, which was unanimously passed by the 15-member council on December 22, bans nearly 90 percent of refined petroleum product exports to North Korea, by setting a ceiling of 500,000 barrels during a period of 12 months beginning January 1.

“The supply, sale or transfer of refined petroleum products should benefit North Koreans. It has nothing to do with supporting North Korea’s missile tests or nuclear program,” the statement said. Starting Saturday, China will also ban importing from North Korea some food, agricultural products, metals, industrial machinery, electrical equipment and vessels, it added.