By Ruby Lian and Megha Rajagopalan

SHANGHAI/BEIJING, March 4 (Reuters) – Chinese maritime authorities should “blacklist” 31 boats operated by a North Korean agency that got here underneath U.N. Security Council sanctions this week, in accordance with a Ministry of Transport doc reviewed by Reuters – a sign that China is imposing robust new curbs geared toward Pyongyang’s banned nuclear programme.

The discover, dated March 3, says maritime security businesses should “urgently” decide whether or not 31 vessels belonging to Ocean Maritime Management Co (OMM) are in Chinese harbours or waters, and notify the ministry.

The newest U.N. sanctions, drafted by the United States and China, blacklist the vessels. The ministry’s discover says authorities should not permit the vessels to enter Chinese harbours, including the measures had been a part of the “exceedingly sensitive” work of imposing the U.N. sanctions.

The ministry didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark outdoors regular enterprise hours. OMM couldn’t be reached for remark.

The U.N. sanctions, handed unanimously on Wednesday, punish North Korea following its fourth nuclear take a look at, in January, in addition to final month’s satellite tv for pc launch, which the United States and others say was actually a take a look at of ballistic missile know-how.

Independent consultants have often questioned China’s resolve to implement sanctions towards North Korea, whose financial system is closely depending on China. China has stated it is going to implement the measures “conscientiously”.

The Philippines Coast Guard has banned one of many 31 OMM vessels, the 6,830 deadweight tonne (dwt) Jin Teng common cargo ship, from leaving port till security deficiencies are put proper, officers stated on Friday.

Authorities this week additionally restricted what number of automobiles may cross into North Korea every day by way of a bridge to the coastal Chinese metropolis of Dandong, from 300-400 earlier to about 100, shopkeepers there stated – an indication that sanctions are having some early impression.

The U.N. newest sanctions additionally ban North Korean exports of coal and iron ore aside from for “livelihood purposes” and if proceeds don’t go to fund the North’s weapons programmes – wording that leaves room for interpretation and continued commerce.

North Korea was one in all China’s high sources for imported coal final yr. (Reporting by Ruby Lian and Megha Rajagopalan; Editing by Ian Geoghegan)