Relations between China and North Korea will remain relatively unchanged in the near term, despite Pyongyang’s unexpected statement of a “successful H bomb nuclear test”, various experts told NK News on Thursday.

Experts said China’s strategic judgement on North Korea is unlikely to change in the short run, considering its economic development plans and the diplomatic dynamic in north-east Asia.

Lee Chang-ju, Ph.D candidate of Fudan University cited the Chinese premier’s 2009 visit to North Korea, which happened four months after North Korea’s second nuclear test. During Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit China decided it would cooperate with the North on numerous economic and