On 23 February 2017, the Korean Central News Agency published an article that condemned China’s newest economic sanctions against North Korea in a tone that Pyongyang had not used about Beijing since the turbulent years of the Cultural Revolution.

“A neighboring country, which often claims itself to be a ‘friendly neighbor’, […] has unhesitatingly taken inhumane steps such as totally blocking foreign trade related to the improvement of people’s living standard,” KCNA argued.

“This country, styling itself a big power, is dancing to the tune of the U.S. while defending its mean behavior with such excuses that it was