CHINA announced a date yesterday to end imports of North Korean coal, iron ore and other goods in three weeks under UN sanctions imposed over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programmes.

Beijing has become progressively frustrated with Pyongyang and supported a UN security council ban on August 5 on coal and other key goods.

The Chinese customs agency said that it will stop processing imports of North Korean coal, iron and lead ores and fish at midnight on September 5.