According to data released by China’s General Administration of Customs, trade between North Korea and China reached 271.2 million USD in September — the highest level recorded in the past six years. This increase followed the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping held in Beijing last month.
North Korea’s imports from China rose from 148 million USD to 228 million USD within a month, while its exports climbed to 43.1 million USD, marking the highest level since 2018. Experts suggest that this growth reflects both seasonal trade recovery and the broader deepening of economic cooperation between the two countries.
Trade volumes had sharply declined during the pandemic due to border closures but began to recover toward the end of 2023. In recent months, renewed diplomatic engagements, cross-border cooperation projects, and official visits have underscored the strengthening of relations between Beijing and Pyongyang.
Key traded commodities include textile products and various raw materials, highlighting the growing diversity and resilience of economic exchange between the two nations.
