China May Be Using Oil to Press North Korea

[frigidmagi]

NYT

[quote]BEIJING, Oct. 30 — China cut off oil exports to North Korea in September during heightened tension over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, Chinese trade statistics show.

The unusual move — the figures show China sold no crude oil at all to its neighbor in September — reduced sales for the year by about 7 percent from the similar period in 2005. China’s oil exports to North Korea, though uneven, had been averaging about 12,300 barrels a day.

North Korea depends on China for up to 90 percent of its oil supplies, much of which is sold on credit or for bartered goods, according to Chinese energy experts. Any sustained reduction could cripple its isolated and struggling economy.

There is no clear indication that the September figures represent a policy shift by China on providing vital food and fuel supplies to its neighbor and ally in the Korean War. North Korea conducted a nuclear test on Oct. 9, after the period covered by the latest customs data.

But North Korea tested ballistic missiles in July, defying sharp warnings from Beijing. China supported a United Nations resolution condemning the missile tests, and urged that North Korea not take any steps that might “worsen tensions.â€

[Mayabird]

It gets really cold in North Korea in winter, and tanks can't drive without fuel.

What does NK actually have worth bartering? The trains they stole from China in the first place?

[frigidmagi]

Conterfeit US dollars.

[Stofsk]

China's just reminding its satellite nation that it wields the bigger stick.