After two months of bilateral negotiations, the UN Security Council unanimously agreed to impose harsh new sanctions against North Korea, using a resolution drafted by the United States and Pyongyang’s ally, China. The sanctions are a result of Pyongyang claims to have tested a hydrogen bomb just seven weeks ago as well as a rocket launch that the international community said used banned ballistic missile technology. U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power told Reuters that the sanctions were the harshest imposed in over two decades, aiming to cut off funds for any nuclear or banned weapons program. The measures will ban the trade of conventional weapons, luxury goods such as Rolex watches, and aviation fuel. Furthermore, all North Korean cargo entering or leaving the country must be inspected by that country. Any item that could be used for military purposes, such as trucks that can be reconfigured for use by the North Korean armed forces. North Korean trade representatives in Syria and Vietnam are among 16 individuals added to a U.N. blacklist, together with 12 North Korean entities. North Korea would still be able to import oil and export coal and iron ore. China is North Korea’s primary supplier of oil in addition to being their primary principal trading and diplomatic ally. The U.N. Resolution also blacklisted 31 ships owned by the North Korean shipping firm Ocean Maritime Management Company (OMM) that were known to be trafficking in illegal nuclear goods. The sanctions appear to be a shift by Beijing away from their otherwise ally. It’s easy to jump to the conclusion that Beijing is distancing itself permanently from Pyongyang and that North Korea will not only lose its single most important ally in the international sphere but also suffer from extreme internal political instability as well as a result of the sanctions. However, one should not hurry to assume these sanctions as landmark decisions. It’s true that Beijing’s support for the sanctions seems in opposition to their resistance of any influence on the Korean peninsula. But, for China, North Korea’s nuclear program is as detrimental to their peace of mind as any action taken by the United States in the collective Koreas. Beijing values stability in the Korean peninsula above all, and as such equally views Pyongyang’s nuclear program as disruptive and conducive to a grim war. Part of the reason that China’s relations with its ally, North Korea have been tense recently is that historically, North Korea has always notified China before testing any nuclear bomb. However, this time, significantly, they did not tell China. Tensions between the two nations have been abnormally high ever since Kim Jong-Un inherited the leadership after his father passed away. North Korea has never been a particularly strategic or reliable ally for Beijing. However, given its position against U.S. armed forces positioned in South Korea and its Anti-Western sentiment, China has supported and defended North Korea in international arenas. As Beijing is primarily concerned with stability in the region, China is unlikely to take any more steps that would result in a regime change. So although these sanctions would severely deter North Korea’s ability to test nuclear weapons, they are not tough enough to spur a regime collapse.This article was written by Baaria Chaudry. Please send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Arshaun Darabnia