A vessel registered in North Korea is owned and operated by a company in Hong Kong, potentially putting China in breach of UN sanctions, analysis of various shipping databases shows.

The Haesong 2, a 5000-tonne general cargo vessel, recently changed flag from Togo to North Korea, though is still owned by Hongkong Alibaba Shipping, according to the Equasis database.

Resolution 2270 passed in March this year calls on member states to prevent the use of the North’s flag.

“(All) States shall prohibit their nationals, persons subject to their jurisdiction and entities incorporated in their