North Korea’s first nuclear experiment terrified people around the world. Why wouldn’t it? North Korea has been labeled a member of the “axis of evil” by the leader of the free nations. It is led by a man often depicted as an insane dictator - a madman who now has nukes. With such images in addition to the ultra-secretive nature of the nation on the mind of the public, it is not surprise that many people live in fear of North Korea’s next move. The issue, however, is not how much we should be scared—or even whether we should be scared. It is how the right players can be encouraged to make the right moves.

The key player here is China. China is North Korea’s main ally and trading partner. When North Korea announced it’s successful nuclear test, the world turned its head to see China’s reaction. Many believed that China power would be forced into an uncomfortable situation: while China seeks a position as a true global power, it is the main ally of a nation often denounced in the international community for its absurd and shameless acts. This dilemma is the very reason that other nations must encourage and motivate China to move against North Korea in a more forceful manner.

Diplomats and the media have emphasized that China was “embarrassed” for its failure to prevent North Korea’s nuclear ambitions from taking shape. The international community has placed at least part of the blame for the latest situation on the Korean Peninsula on China, chastising the nation for being “soft” on the rogue nation. North Korea’s nuclear experiment was more or less a setback for China’s hopes for joining the ranks of true global powers. Given a choice of being viewed as a close ally of a menacing country whose GDP is smaller than Harvard’s endowment or as a responsible nation in the international community, China’s choice is nothing short of obvious. Taking a tough stance against its ally, China even sided with longtime adversaries (the U.S. and Japan) on the subsequently passed UN Security Council resolution imposing sanctions. In addition, China expressed willingness to work on the problem with Japan, despite past and current difficulties in Sino-Japanese relations.

Yet, China seems to be going about its business with North Korea as usual. Supplies and aid continue to flow south as if the harshly worded UN resolution had never been passed. China has good reason for this contradictory action. Since the Sino-North Korean alliance does not provide equal benefits for the two sides, the alliance itself is not a reason to ignore international will. China’s support of the regional trouble-maker sprouts in part from a fear that a regime collapse in North Korea would bring a frightening influx of refugees across the border. The nation has interest in sustaining actual support for North Korea even while standing with the rest of the international community.

Other nations must realize that China is not in an easy position. Chastising it for not doing enough to prevent North Korea’s nuclear program or impose economic sanctions will do little if anything to ease East Asian tensions. China, from its perspective, has legitimate reasons to take actions that seem irresponsible as an international player. At the same time, nations must not expect China to act in complete unison with international will. What members of the international community must do is to put themselves in China’s shoes and generate solutions that will encourage China to enforce the United Nations’ sanctions and to conduct thorough inspections of cargoes flowing from the North Korean border.

United Nations Ambassador John Bolton said on a weekly political talk show that China has a “heavy responsibility.” China, indeed, is an important player in the North Korean nuclear problem. However, placing “heavy responsibility” on a single nation for a difficult international issue will not bring ultimate harmony in the global arena.

The answer to the North Korea problem is a multilateral effort in which several key actors play their parts in concert. As a neighbor and major supporter of North Korea, China has potential to influence the direction of North Korean foreign policy. There is no doubt that China should do more to comply with UN Security Council resolutions and to conduct inspections of cargo coming in and out of North Korea. However, China’s willingness to stand by the U.S. and Japan is a reasonable approach that ought to be welcomed by other nations. The current North Korea problem may even be a good opportunity for contesting East Asian neighbors to put their differences aside once and for all. If approached in the right manner, this crisis could become a trigger to develop lasting harmonious relations in the region.