BEIJING, April 21 Reuters China39;s overall exports to North Korea in March rose sharply compared with the same month last year for the second month in a row, with the major export items including rice, Chinese customs data showed on Friday.

Chinese outbound shipments to the isolated country surged 141.7 yearonyear last month following a 161.5 leap in JanuaryFebruary, data released by China39;s General Administration of Customs showed.

Rice was the most imported commodity by value, totalling 22 million. The country also imported around 8 million in artificial wigs and 7 million in tobacco.

China39;s foreign ministry said last month that relations between China and North Korea had entered a new historic period in recent years and continued to develop under the strategic leadership of both countries.

China39;s new ambassador to North Korea, Wang Yajun, arrived in the North on March 27.

Reporting by Liangping Gao and Ryan Woo; Editing by Hugh Lawson

Source Reuters