An irate China has summoned the North Korean ambassador to explain reports that Pyongyang detonated an underground nuclear weapon on Tuesday in grave violation of the provisions of international law.

China, so far the closest ally of North Korea, lambasted the hermit kingdom over the nuclear blast and issued a strongly-worded statement rebuking its reckless actions.

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"We strongly urge the North Korean side to remain committed to its commitment of denuclearization and stop taking any actions that will make the situation worse," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Hua told reporters that North Korea's claim that it detonated a hydrogen bomb and not a nuclear weapon is yet to be confirmed.

She, however, said the detonation was felt in the border towns of China. Some schools in the region were forced to close due to successive tremors, which reports said were recorded at a magnitude of 5.1, she added.

Hua said China was not informed of such a test by North Korea despite the seismic impact felt by the Chinese people after the nuclear blast. The blast reportedly caused panic among residents in the border region.

China has been the closest ally of North Korea over the years, but since Kim Jong Un assumed power, the bilateral relations between the two nations has deteriorated significantly.

Political analysts say China's decision to publicly rebuke North Korea over the detonation would further strain their bilateral relations and both countries will likely continue to fall out with one another.

If the status quo persists, experts say North Korea's economy stands to suffer as it will get out of the good graces of Beijing.

A weakened economy in North Korea could result in nationwide famine and more atrocities being committed.

Over the years, China has been extending humanitarian aid to the people of North Korea as well as economic assistance in the form of loans and goods to improve their living conditions.

China has been sending food aid to the North Korean population over the years even before Kim Jong Un came into power.

Hungry North Koreans have been committing atrocities to feed themselves with soldiers ransacking Chinese border towns and even killing residents. Meanwhile, Japan has recently been swamped this year with ships full of dead bodies believed to be those of North Korean fishermen who perished while fishing in the open ocean.

TagsChinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying, North Korea, nuclear weapon