China's trade with Russia is getting so difficult that payments can take half a year and most bank transfers are returned

• Trade payments from Russia to China are taking up to six months to clear, the Kommersant reported.
• Chinese banks are tightening compliance checks, fearing repercussions from Western sanctions.
• US secondary sanctions on financial institutions aiding Russia have intensified since December.

Trade between Russia and China is getting ever more difficult, with some payments between partners taking up to half a year, the Kommersant business daily reported on Monday.

About 80% of bank transfers made in the Chinese yuan are also getting bounced back with no explanation, after being stalled for weeks while banks decide if they can go ahead, per Kommersant, citing unnamed sources.