China's trade with North Korea plunges in October after UN sanctions

China's trade with North Korea fell to $334.9 million in October, its lowest since February as imports sank to their weakest in years, data showed on Thursday, the latest sign that tough new sanctions cut business with its isolated neighbour.

The total is down almost 20 per cent from September and compares with $525.2 million a year ago, according to customs' data.

The data represents the first whole month since the latest United Nations penalties came into force on September 5, banning Pyongyang from selling coal, iron ore, lead, lead ore and seafood abroad.

The world's second-largest economy bought goods worth $90.75 million from North Korea in October, down sharply from $145.8 million in September and the lowest on government records going back to January 2014, data from China's General Administration of Customs shows.

Exports plunged to $244.2 million, the weakest since February. That compares with $266.4 million in September and $286.9 million in October last year.

Trade between the two countries has slowed this year, particularly after China banned coal purchases in February.

But the pace and scale of the drop suggest the most recent curbs are hurting Pyongyang's ability to sell some critical commodities to one of its chief trading partners.

The UN estimated the latest ban, imposed after its two intercontinental ballistic missile tests in July, would slash by North Korea's $3-billion annual export revenue by a third.

The data is also likely to underscore Beijing's strongly-stated stance that it is rigorously enforcing UN resolutions aimed at reining in Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programmes.

The data comes as US President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on President Xi Jinping to tighten the screws further on Pyongyang, with steps such as limits on oil exports and financial transactions.

A more detailed breakdown by commodity will be released on Friday.