A U.S. daily reports China’s historically supportive stance toward North Korea has been changing recently.

The Wall Street Journal said China is having a hard time backing Pyongyang after its nuclear test this week. The daily said it will be interesting to see how China's policies will change, explaining that a number of influential Chinese thinkers view Kim Jong-il’s regime as more of a liability than an ally.

The report quoted experts as saying China had tolerated North Korea because opposing it might have lead to instability. It said however, Pyongyang has angered the international community with its recent unprecedented acts of hostility, limiting China’s influence in carrying out further mitigating policies toward the North.