My theory:
1. China looks like a hero on the global stage
2. China demonstrates that they are capable of projecting power
3. China short-circuits a U.S. strike and thus keeps Kim Jong-On in place and thus maintains the status quo on the Korean Peninsula.
One retort might be that there would be a risk of NK shelling Seoul but I don't think NK can really do shit if China is the actor. To do anything would basically be suicide on NK's part.
1. China looks like a hero on the global stage
2. China demonstrates that they are capable of projecting power
3. China short-circuits a U.S. strike and thus keeps Kim Jong-On in place and thus maintains the status quo on the Korean Peninsula.
One retort might be that there would be a risk of NK shelling Seoul but I don't think NK can really do shit if China is the actor. To do anything would basically be suicide on NK's part.