China is North Korea’s most important economic partner, diplomatic protector, and geographic neighbor, sharing a 1,400-kilometer border along the Yalu and Tumen rivers. Daily NK covers North Korea China relations across multiple dimensions — bilateral trade and smuggling, the treatment of North Korean defectors in China, Beijing’s enforcement of UN sanctions, and the strategic calculations behind China’s support for the Kim regime. Our border-region sources provide unmatched ground-level insight into one of the world’s most consequential and opaque bilateral relationships.
Tag: china
North Korea orders custom e-bikes from China, eyes local production
North Korea is ordering custom electric bicycles from Chinese manufacturers and importing the finished products to meet rising domestic demand. At the same time,...
With North Korea tourism stalled, China agencies push business visas instead
As hopes fade for a resumption of Chinese group tours to North Korea, travel agencies are pivoting to a new product this year: business...
Chongjin fishermen struggle to secure fuel before squid season
Fishermen in Chongjin, North Hamgyong province, are struggling to secure fuel ahead of North Korea's squid fishing season, which begins in earnest in late...
Cargo trucks line up at China-North Korea border in trade surge
Cargo truck traffic between China's Dandong and North Korea's Sinuiju has surged in mid-2026, with dozens of trucks lining up daily at the border...
North Korea shifts China ventures toward learning
North Korea-China joint ventures are shifting in focus, with Pyongyang moving beyond simply attracting Chinese capital and equipment to absorb Chinese production methods and...
North Korea revises criminal procedure law, mandates defense counsel
North Korea revised its criminal procedure law in 2022 and again in 2025. The changes shortened detention and investigation periods. They also required defense...
Smugglers in Hyesan take up Chinese lessons
North Korean smugglers in their 30s and 40s are rushing to learn Chinese in 2026. The trend is driven by a string of financial...
North Korea offers custom deals to attract China
Chinese investors visiting North Korea are increasingly favoring a phased approach to their investments. They weigh profitability at each stage before committing more capital....
North Korea vehicle smuggling stalls after fee hike
North Korea has restarted state-led smuggling along its border with China. But vehicle smugglers say a sudden fee hike has brought their business to...
China eyes new trade route linking Dandong and Dalian
China is building a new Dandong-Dalian logistics link to expand trade with North Korea. Liaoning province wants to connect the two border cities by...
