BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese exports to North Korea soared in September from a year earlier, posting a two-digit increase after recording 2025’s first on-year decline in August, customs data showed on Monday.

Shipments to North Korea reached $228.1 million last month, up 30.75% year-on-year, data from China’s General Administration of Customs showed. Exports grew 54.53% on a month-to-month basis.

Top Chinese exports to the isolated country in September included soybean oil, processed hair and wool for wig-making, petroleum bitumen and granulated sugar.

China remains North Korea’s largest trading partner and a vital economic lifeline for the isolated state, which is subject to international sanctions for its nuclear weapons programme.

The Asian neighbours have ramped up diplomatic engagem

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