China has ordered companies and joint ventures from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to shut down within 120 days as it applies UN sanctions imposed following Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test, the Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce said on Thursday.

Overseas Chinese joint ventures launched with DPRK firms or individuals should also be closed according to the sanctions from the United Nations, which did not give a deadline in a joint statement on its website.

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Sept 12 imposing new sanctions on Pyongyang, including limiting its oil imports, banning its textile exports and restricting overseas firms from hiring DPRK citizens.