China hits back at Donald Trump: Don't blame us for North Korea
China continues to trade with North Korea but says it follows United Nations sanctions aimed at pressuring Pyongyang to back off its military buildup. It has rejected additional US sanctions, saying the standoff must be resolved through dialogue.
Japan, however, sided with Trump. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Sunday he was disappointed in China's response to North Korea's latest tests and agreed with Mr Trump that China must apply more pressure on North Korea.
Karl Dewey, an analyst for Jane's by IHS Markit, said China has political reasons not to turn its back on the North.
"Ultimately it remains in Beijing's interests to support North Korea economically," Mr Dewey said. "A unified peninsula under Seoul's leadership creates a major US ally on China's doorstep."