China imported 1.6 million tonnes of coal from North Korea in August, the largest monthly volume since February when Beijing issued a blanket ban on the trade, Chinese customs data showed on Tuesday. China announced in February that it had suspended all coal imports from North Korea following UN sanctions, so it was not immediately clear why the data showed shipments had resumed. The Ministry of Commerce said on Saturday, it would impose an immediate ban on textile imports from North Korea and limit oil exports to its neighbour, from next year under UN sanctions over its nuclear and missile development. Sales of liquefied natural gas and condensate oil would be banned.
