Beijing quiet as North Korea turns up the heat with missile tests

China has been North Korea's closest ally and Pyongyang feted President Xi Jinping when he visited the country in January 2019 [File: KCNA via Reuters]

As North Korea test-fired a new tactical guided weapon last week under the supervision of Kim Jong Un, its closest ally Beijing barely seemed to raise an eyebrow despite the high stakes.

Missile tests have taken place with increasing frequency in North Korea in recent months, but this time it was testing a new weapons system aimed at improving its nuclear capability.