“Today, the DPRK, despite universal opposition from the international community, conducted another nuclear test. The Chinese government expresses firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the test”, China said.

North Korea’s ‘successful’ detonation of a hydrogen bomb on Sunday came just ahead of the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, China.

Apart from the sharp reaction from the Chinese foreign ministry, the Chinese media was also monitoring the developments.

North Korea, an ally of China’s, has managed to embarrass Beijing a couple of times in the past as well. Though BRICS members might discuss the recent developments in the Korean Peninsula, China has been reluctant to have North Korea overshadow yet another major international event hosted by Beijing.

China condemned the test, saying, “Today, the DPRK, despite universal opposition from the international community, conducted another nuclear test. The Chinese government expresses firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the test.”

A senior Chinese journalist, Qin Feng, who’s covering the BRICS Summit, said, “I think everyone has had enough, but we need a solution to keep peace in the peninsula. China should seriously contemplate on its bilateral relations with North Korea”.

INDIA’S RESPONSE

India also came out and deplored the act. “It is a matter of deep concern that DPRK has once again acted in violation of its international commitments which goes against the objective of the de-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula, which has been endorsed by DPRK itself.”

The announcement of the test came when Chinese President Xi Jinping was addressing the BRICS Business Forum, but the Chinese leader refrained from directly attacking Pyongyang.

“We BRICS countries are committed to upholding global peace and contributing to the international security order.

We should uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms governing international relations, firmly support multilateralism, work for greater democracy in international relations, and oppose hegemony,” he said.

China in August said it was considering implementing UN sanctions against North Korea.