Interviews with Chinese military and government officials and scholars suggest that China may now be willing to envision both a future in which North Korea is not a sovereign state and a greater role for the Chinese military in any contingency. Chinese interests in a Korea contingency have expanded beyond concerns about a refugee spillover to include national security and potential limits on China's quest for regional power. These, combined with concerns about nuclear security, drive Beijing's military strategy. China is unlikely to fight to protect the Kim Jong-un regime, nor do its defense or political officials expect to be invited to intervene. Chinese forces are preparing to fight their way onto the peninsula if Chinese involvement is deemed necessary to protect China's national interests. Explicit planning for contingencies on the Korean peninsula is still too sensitive for China, but the United States and China could begin coordination efforts indirectly.
Note
Description based on online resource; title from PDF caption (USIP, viewed February 8, 2021).
