What is the explanation for having Red China on the side of the US? (Now you've got me wanting to see the movie... I haven't seen it since it was on TV in the 80's and can't remember much of it.)
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. The Soviets attacked us, China hates the USSR, so now (in the movie) we are allies. I also gather China is pissed because there are 400 million dead Chinese.
Fast Forward 20 years, today, I think it is more likely that the US and Russia would be allies against the Chinese.