China has announced new sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and released a list of banned import and export items. The action comes a month after the U-N Security Council passed a unanimous resolution expanding previous sanctions against the DPRK. Part of these sanctions appear to be specifically targeting Pyongyang's mining sector, as Wang Tongxuan, now explains.

The guidance that we are getting is coming from the Commerce Ministry, which announced the trade restrictions. Banned imports include things like DPRK gold, rare earth elements and several other raw minerals. The country is believed to have some of the largest deposits of rare earth in the world. The mining sector is seen a key part of its economy. And the international community believes that mining revenues are funding a significant part of the DPRK's nuclear program. China's decision to include coal - with some exceptions - is still a pretty big deal. Last year, the DPRK sold China around 20 million metric tonnes of coal, surpassing the supply from China's other bordering countries, Russia and Mongolia. Banned EXPORTS - items China now WON'T send to its neighbor - include jet fuel, and other types of oil products that can be used to make rocket fuel... and includes allowed exemptions. China's nuclear envoy was in Tokyo on Tuesday, reiterating China's commitment.

"We had a frank conversation about denuclearisation, peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and the resumption of six-party talks. We also had a deep discussion about the comprehensive and complete implementation of UNSC Resolution 22-70, The Chinese and Japanese sides agree to maintain close coordination on these issues," China's nuclear envoy Wu Dawei said.

China sees the resumption of the six-party talks, as a way to resolve the issue diplomatically. Wu is the de facto chair of the stalled talks, which of course also include Japan. All of which suggests that China is enforcing the resolution it voted for last month.