The escalation of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programme has dealt a blow to an already beleaguered group of Chinese experts who advocate a softer approach to Beijing’s unpredictable neighbour. 

Arguing that sanctions are counterproductive, and military action unthinkable, a dominant group of Chinese academics has long insisted that the only way through the crisis will be to build economic bridges with Pyongyang and even acquiesce to North Korea as a nuclear state. 

But this viewpoint is getting harder to sustain, the more nuclear tests shake the ground in China’s northeastern provinces. Pyongyang’s actions, and the regime’s escalating rhetoric, have infuriated Beijing, which has staked its credibility on being able to handle Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s leader. The hydrogen bomb test on Sunday — the biggest yet — caused earth tremors deep inside Chinese territory.