China’s words and policies toward North Korea continued to exhibit contradictions in August, reflecting the complex challenges posed by the North Korea issue to China, both in the domestic and international realm. These were showcased by the official and popular responses to North Korea’s sixth nuclear test on September 3.

Due to domestic and international pressure, China ramped up sanctions on North Korea in August. However, in order to counter domestic and international perceptions that it was aligning with the U.S., China condemned joint U.S.-ROK military exercises and unilateral sanctions against DPRK and