No, they aren't, but they aren't fools, either.
Take a look at their history.
The problem with history with China is China is a much, much different country than it was just 40 years ago. Capitalism has been introduced. A middle class has developed. War on the Korean peninsula would shake the foundation of their economy, all over what? North Korea?
You greatly overestimate the value of North Korea to the Chinese and greatly underestimate the value of their wonderful new trading partner, South Korea. Ultimately, China will side with the South. Watch and see. As always, follow the money.....and the Chicoms, who are seeing wealth flow into their country like never before in their 6000 year history, like money just as much as anyone else.....
It isn’t NK the Chinese want.......
Again, you don’t play Chess much do you?
“and greatly underestimate the value of their wonderful new trading partner, South Korea”
And this is why China will soon facilitate the downfall of the NORK regime. They are costing everybody money, and are the only neighborhood nusiance. They have no allies. Everyone is sitting, waiting for the reasonable excuse. ANd the NORKS are falling apart,, with the ship torpedoing, and the shelling.
The vaunted NORK army will fall apart quickly,,, no NORK commander will dare take any action without direct orders. Their Army is structured and aimed at coup prevention and has no ability funtion on a modern battlefield.
It will eventually look like the fall of the Berlin wall, with maybe a few violent days, ala Ceaucescu.
ANd CHina walks away with a few big man on campus credits to show Taiwan, The P.I. and Vietnam is other disputes.