How China responded to previous North Korean nuclear tests

China has frequently been urged by other countries – including the United States and Japan – to do more to rein in North Korea – but after Pyongyang’s five previous nuclear tests it has not gone further than issuing condemnations and supporting UN sanctions.

On Monday Geng Shuang, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said it had been made clear to North Korea that China opposed the latest test – the most powerful yet – and reiterated China’s support for talks to reduce tension on the Korean peninsula.