Chinese limits on critical energy supplies to the DPRK came into effect on Saturday.

Beijing tightened exports of both crude oil and refined petroleum products to Pyongyang. The move is in line with the latest UN sanctions. It also follows an agreement to hold the first official talks between the DPRK and the ROK next week. China's chief negotiator on the DPRK nuclear issue Kong Xuanyou said Beijing welcomes "positive" developments on the Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has also called on all parties concerned, to bring negotiations back on track.