[Thermalseeker]

I think China will inevitably align with South Korea. Both have an interested in making the North Korea problem go away. For China, North Korea has outlived its usefulness to her.

Bingo! I forget the actual figures, but I recall reading a while back that China has to produce something like 25 million jobs per month to keep their economy growing. If they were to enter into a war over North Korea it would be devastating to their economy and would likely spark an internal revolt that the regime probably wouldn't survive (and they know it). This ain't 1950.......

[macquire]

You are projecting onto the Chinese people themselves an inordinate amount of “wordly goodwill” they don’t have, never have had, and never will have.

They aren’t exactly a bunch of San Francisco ex Hippies growing flowers in their gardens you know.

If the Chinese people believe it benefits them in the long run; the Chinese people will support virtually any military excusion. Take a look at their history.

[bill1952]

I recall reading a while back that China has to produce something like 25 million jobs per month

A sure sign that the analysis is bogus. :)