China is not yet ready to take the stage. It is rapidly getting there (check out some of Jeff Head’s work on China - Jeff Head has a nice website that tracks China’s modernization programs), but it is not yet there. For China to make a major move now would be moving too fast too soon. The Chinese strategy (based on what they are currently doing, as well as their history that shows a lot of strategic patience) will be to build up their capabilities (which they are doing, whether it be AEGIS-esque phased-array radar destroyers, improved avionics, integrated tactics, etc) until they are able to not only keep off the US (which they already can do if one looks at specific loci like the Taiwan Strait) but to also be able to project strength viably (albeit in a more limited manner than the US at its end-of-the-cold-war peak before the Peace Dividend) on a global basis. China has absolutely nothing to gain from mucking about in the Persian Gulf. It doesn’t need to prove anything, and it has been diversifying its sources of oil (most of China’s oil comes from Angola and the Sudan, one reason it has been reaching out to the newly created Southern Sudan). China will not make a move in the Persian Gulf. Furthermore, it will not make a move on Taiwan now. (A discussion for another day would be why Taiwan is as good as China’s ...but that’s for another day).
FYI on the basis of decorum - I referenced you on this post.
I’m pretty sure the Chinese who probably not baffled by our PC see the USA as becoming a 3000 mile wide Detroit, patience on their part. The wiley Ruskies on the other hand could use a boost in oil prices.
I could see china not getting involved, however I can see them using the two proxies NK and Iran hitting us pretty much at the same time, as well as helping Pakistan mess with India while they sit back and watch and poke. All the pieces are following into place.