Between China and North Korea total trade last year more than doubled the previous year

Recently NHK News reported the following:

中国と北朝鮮の去年の貿易総額 前年の2倍以上に増加

2024年1月18日 23時45分

中国と北朝鮮の間の去年1年間の貿易総額が、前の年から2倍以上に増え、コロナ禍前の水準に回復しつつあることがわかりました。北朝鮮は、ロシアと軍事協力を深める一方、中国とは経済関係を強化する姿勢を示しています。

中国の税関当局が18日に発表した貿易統計によりますと、中国と北朝鮮の間の輸出と輸入を合わせた去年1年間の貿易総額は、22億9500万ドル余りでした。

これは前年、2022年の額から2倍以上に増え、新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大前の2019年と比べて8割の水準に回復しました。

貿易額の増加は、新型コロナの感染拡大のあと2年にわたって運行を停止した貨物列車が、去年の春から増便したことや、トラックによる輸送が一部再開したことなどが影響した可能性があります。

北朝鮮は、中国との国交樹立から75年の節目となることから、両首脳が新年に交わした祝電で、ことしを「中朝友好の年」と定め、今週には北朝鮮との貿易や投資を手がける中国の団体の訪朝を受け入れたばかりです。

北朝鮮は、チェ・ソニ外相がモスクワを訪問し、ロシアと軍事協力を深める一方、中国とは経済関係を強化する姿勢を示しています。

Translation

It was revealed that the total trade between China and North Korea over the past year had more than doubled from the previous year, and was recovering to pre-coronavirus levels. North Korea had shown a stance of deepening military cooperation with Russia and at the same time strengthening economic relations with China.

According to trade statistics released by China's customs authorities on the 18th, total exports and imports trade between China and North Korea last year was more than $2.295 billion.

This was more than doubled from the previous year, 2022, and had recovered to 80% of the level in 2019, before the spread of the new coronavirus.

The increase in trade value might have been due to the increased frequency of freight trains since last spring, which had been suspended for two years following the spread of the new coronavirus, and the resumption of some truck transportation.

As North Korea marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with China, the two leaders designated this year as the ``Year of Sino-North Korean Friendship'' in a congratulatory cable they exchanged on New Year's Day, and this week had just hosted a visit from a Chinese organization involved in trade and investment.

North Korea's Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui visited Moscow and deepened military cooperation with Russia, meanwhile it also showed a stance to strengthen economic relations with China.

              So, North Korea is deepening military cooperation with Russia and at the same time strengthening economic relations with China. Against this background, I think North Korea will feel comfortable to create further tension in the region.