In past weeks, as the North Korean problem has escalated, there has been increasing commentary on the role of China in resolving the issue.

These comments have included British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson stating that China needs to do more to control North Korea by tightening the “economic ligature,” and that Beijing is in a unique position to intervene and de-escalate the situation.

Towards the more nuanced end of the analysis, it has been noted by Adam Cathcartthat there is not a singular “Chinese” position, and nor should there be an expectation that there is one, especially after protests