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North Korea was sent a direct message from Beijing yesterday in an explosive military drill near the border between the two states. China's air force carried out exercises near the peninsula, practising to defend against a "surprise attack” - presumably from their erratic neighbours. Chinese state-run media, which effectively acts as ay propaganda wing for leader Xi Jingping’s government, said the drills took place early yesterday. They said the provocative drills took place near the Bohai Sea, the innermost gulf of the Yellow Sea which separates China from the Korean peninsula.

GETTY North Korea news: China has shot down missiles in a drill at the border of the two states

North Korea celebrates nuclear test Thu, September 7, 2017 North Korea held a mass celebration for the scientists involved in carrying out its largest nuclear blast to date, with fireworks and a mass rally in Pyongyang Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 17 Korean People's Army (KPA) soldiers cheer during a mass celebration in Pyongyang

“The troops rapid response capabilities and actual combat levels have effectively been tested Chinese state media

Troops travelled to the site from central China before immediately beginning drills to fend off the "surprise attack" simulating real battle. Chinese press boasted: “The troops rapid response capabilities and actual combat levels have effectively been tested.” They also said new weapons, used to shoot down airborne missiles, were successfully tested for the first time. The exercise came days after North Korea carried out its sixth and largest nuclear test of an advanced hydrogen bomb. US president Donald Trump warned military action is “not a first choice” but added ominously “we’ll see what happens”.

GETTY North Korea news: Chinese soldiers pictured during an earlier military drill

There is now mounting international concern the country plans even more weapons tests, possibly of a long-range missile. After weeks of rising tension, South Korea and the United States have been discussing the deployment of aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula. China is deeply suspicious of any US backed military build up in the region and has repeatedly expressed anger at the deployment of a US anti-missile defence system in South Korea. READ MORE: How many nuclear weapons do North Korea have?

GETTY North Korea has launched several provocative missile launches this year

However, Beijing is also becoming increasingly concerned with North Korea, who have historically been allies. In recent months Beijing has repeatedly rapped despot Kim on the knuckles as the international community places more responsibility on China to solve the crisis. Earlier this year China suspended imports of North Korean coal, which acts as a major source of income for the hermit state. China, along with Russia, have now also advocated a "freeze for freeze" plan, where the United States and South Korea stop major military exercises in exchange for North Korea halting its weapons programmes. North Korea says it needs to develop its weapons to defend itself against what it sees as US aggression. READ MORE: Will North Korea attack the USA?

However, China urged Donald Trump to push for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis. President Xi told the US leader in a telephone conversation to move towards talks, rather than conflict. Mr Xi also told Mr Trump that China attaches importance to his proposed visit to China later this year. Mr Trump revealed after the phone call: “President Xi would like to do something. We'll see whether or not he can do it. But we will not be putting up with what's happening in North Kore. “I believe that President Xi agrees with me 100 percent... We had a very, very frank and very strong phone call."

Kim Jong-un's latest missile test Wed, August 30, 2017 Nuclear-armed North Korea said on August 30 that it had fired a missile over Japan the previous day, the first time it has ever acknowledged doing so Play slideshow Rodong 1 of 7