In December 2025, North Korea imported goods worth $257.4 million (S$330.28 million) from China.

Data from Beijing customs shows that boosted by rising Chinese imports, trade between China and North Korea has surged to levels close to those seen before the pandemic.

According to China’s General Administration of Customs, bilateral trade increased by 25.4% year-on-year, reaching a total of $2.73 billion (S$3.51 billion) — the highest level since 2019.

Before North Korea closed its borders in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese tourists and business visitors made up the majority of foreign visitors to the country.

Trade between the two nations dropped sharply during those years but began gradually recovering from 2022 onward.

Data released on January 18 showed that North Korea imported $257.4 million worth of goods from China in December, up from nearly $243.6 million in November.

In September 2025, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Chinese President Xi Jinping that he was “firmly committed” to “steadily developing” bilateral relations.

Kim made the remarks during a rare visit to Beijing, North Korea’s most important ally.

He attended events alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, including a large military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

According to Chinese state media, Xi told Kim at the time that the two countries should strengthen coordination in international affairs and “safeguard shared interests.”

In October 2025, while hosting Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other foreign dignitaries during celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim also praised the “friendly and cooperative” relationship with China. (AFP)