In early September, China moved to implement new U.N. sanctions outlined in resolution 2375 designed to punish North Korea in response to its sixth nuclear test on September 3.

As part of the sanctions, China agreed to limit its oil exports to North Korea, a measure which was unprecedented but stopped short of U.S. calls for a full oil embargo.

Many Chinese experts were surprised to see the government target North Korea’s oil supply as part of its new sanctions, but Deng Yu Wen, a senior researcher at the Charhar Institute, noted immediately after