Overall North Korean trade with China grew in 2016, dispelling concerns that a slowing Chinese economy could depress demand for DPRK goods and raw materials.

Figures from Chinese customs compiled by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) showed that both DPRK imports and exports with China grew last year, by six and eight percent respectively.

The increase reverses the sharp decline seen in 2015 – where both North Korean imports and exports fell by over 10 percent – though was not enough to return trade to 2014 levels.

North Korean shipments of coal also continued to support the DPRK