This file photo dated April 6, 2018 shows the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) in Beijing, capital of China. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

China has maintained communications with South Korea on suspending urea exports at Chinese customs, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

China is a large producer and consumer of urea. On the basis of ensuring domestic demand, it exports millions of tons every year to supply the international market, said He Yadong, a spokesman of the ministry, at a news conference.

China shipped a total of 3.43 million metric tons of urea during the first ten months of this year, a 65 percent rise over the previous year, He added.