I know they are belatedly bitching about it, and trying to deflect its responsibility for this "disaster."
What I am wondering about is whether N. Korea back-stabbed China regarding the nuclear test.
To me, it is quite plausible that N. Korea goes freelancing, jerks around China a bit, and even plays Russia against China. N. Koreans are certainly capable of this.
I think the key to that answer is whether Iranians believe that they can get the weapons soonest from NK, Pakistan, or make their own. I saw this test as pure marketing, hustling money from potential buyers.
The Chinese have every interest in terrorists possessing nuclear weapons. It ties up America and nobody else. In that regard, and however loose the cannon, NK is still acting as a proxy. This show of "backstabbing" creating greater distance from China only increases their usefulness in that regard.
I wouldn't say 'backstabbed', only in that it appears the DPRK has stabbed China in the front.
China, in effect, was paying off the DPRK in the same way that South Korea and Japan were. They put a lot of resources in, hoping to get stability out. It's not a great plan, but it's the least worst plan, from their point of view The North Koreans never really promise anything, but making deals with them can buy periods of calm. Unfortunately, what deals they do make, they break on a whim, and claim the other party at fault. The Chinese understand this better than anyone.
So, North Korea may be biting the hands that feed them, but that's how they are. No amount of tribute will ever be enough to keep them satisfied. The Chinese may have hoped to delay conflict as long as possible, but it was just a matter of time before tensions flared again, and they knew it.