Sources: China, N. Korea increase economic exchanges in border areas - Yonhap

South Korea’s state news agency, Yonhap, quoted sources with the knowledge of the matter on Thursday, citing that China is seen improving its economic cooperation with North Korea, as the Chinese authorities recently increased the economic exchanges near the North Korean border.

A source said: "The latest trade fair and other similar events in the China-North Korea border areas seem to suggest Beijing moving to stimulate economic exchanges with the North. Chinese companies are also holding investment consultations seeking to enter North Korea if U.N. sanctions are eased." 

In a related move, a Chinese pharmaceutical group late last month agreed to provide medicines worth about 11 million Chinese yuan (US$1.6 million) to North Korea, the source noted.