[Tee tiong huat]

China must face ‘higher cost’ for backing Russia in Ukraine, says next EU foreign policy chief.

China halts North Korean trade applications as Pyongyang pivots to Russia. For more than a week now, Chinese customs authorities have not been issuing permits for goods reported as personal items. Xi officials in Dandong have stopped processing North Korean trade applications since late last month & disruption may stem from the cooling of China-North Korea relations as Pyongyang strengthens ties with Russia.

North Korean traders in China wanted ship goods to North Korea, would declare items to Chinese customs as personal items for a move to a new home and easily obtain a shipping permit, be'cos Chinese customs authorities do not open or inspect boxes labeled as personal belongings for a move, North Korean traders had little trouble shipping electronic goods luxury items that are prohibited under sanctions against North Korea.

In this way, North Korean merchants have been able to ship various household appliances – including refrigerators, flat-screen televisions, water purifiers, car batteries, and electric stoves – to the North while declaring them to customs authorities as personal effects for a move making a handsome profit on the side.
https://www.dailynk.com/english/china-ha...to-russia/