China has significant oilfields there. They abandoned them when fighting broke out. There are also Eighurs fighting there who will return to china and spread discontent if not killed first. Plus they have new troops, aircraft & an aircraft carrier that need real wartime experience. It is a conflict with little downside for them. No enemy aircraft, no enemy intel or large armor forces. No real threats to their only working carrier. A darn fine training opportunity.
You may not think they will go, but I say there is a good chance of it.
As for their only carrier, there's no way they would send it 6,000 miles to see if they can actually launch and land aircraft.
They would not be able to bear the embarrassment of towing it home.
Plus, the know that if Obama loses his mind and goes all butch on them, if the order went out for whatever reason, they could not protect that carrier or it's feeble escorts.
Many Americans take the US Navy for granted in that they don't appreciate their capabilities. Right now Russia has 40 or 50 aircraft on an airfield in Syria, static target.
The US Navy can put 75 aircraft anywhere, per carrier. Plus, these new Burke Class, 9-10kt "Destroyers are amazing.
120+ Vertical Launch Tubes that each carry 1-4 missiles of several varieties. And the best Radar/Fire Control/Targeting system ever devised.
When they travel they establish a 300 miles envelope around them, to include "up".