North Korea's most recent nuclear and ballistic missile tests have drawn sharp criticism and a new round of unilateral and UN sanctions against the country. Many North Korea watchers were also surprised when Beijing appeared to go further than in previous years, agreeing to new regulations covering imports of North Korean coal and iron.

The new resolutions also mean all cargoes heading into the DPRK should now all be inspected, and there have been numerous reports that China had closed at least some of its ports to DPRK ships. Long considered the North's single most important economic ally, Beijing's apparently more active role in North Korean sanctions enforcement could have long standing consequences for North Korea's economy.