China on Tuesday banned imports of gold and rare earths from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and exports to the country of oil products used to make rocket fuel.

The move is in line with new United Nations sanctions on Pyongyang. The mining sector is a key part of the DPRK's economy, which is already largely isolated from the rest of the world. Experts believe revenue from the sector helps underwrite the DPRK's military expenditures.

China said it would also ban coal shipments from the DPRK but made some exemptions consistent with the UN sanctions. Those exemptions include uses intended for "the people's well-being" and that aren't connected to nuclear or missile programs.