[Hugin]

True. But the question is whether they want the crackpot next door to have nukes. I don't see how it benefits them at all.

[Travis McGee]

Missile and nuclear proliferation benefits China directly in many ways. North Korea is their "deniable" fountain of missile and nuclear proliferation to America's enemies and potential enemies world wide.

Proliferation means that the USA must heavily invest its limited resources far from China to defend itself and its allies from the missiles and possible nukes that Korea has shipped everywhere... with China's wink and nod and secret help.

Assets such as our Aegis class (anti ballistic missile capable) ships which are spread over the globe guarding our allies and ourselves are ships which will NOT be available to come to the defense of Taiwan etc. This is a case of China attempting to dilute and spread out our assets so that they cannot be focused on China.

China and North Korea are equal partners in this strategic endeavor.

[ExpandNATO]

The nukes help deter the United States from attacking North Korea. Meantime, N. Korea's missile production and sales provide the anti-United States countries more and more firepower. In essence, North Korea is a weapon that can be used against us.