I think il (ill) is the operative word. Now China is really between a rock and a hard place, with NK on one side and Iran on the other. Then again, China already has the bomb but sadly Tom Lehrer got it wrong:

"France got the bomb, but don't you grieve
'Cause they're on our side, I believe
China got the bomb, but have no fears
They can't wipe us out for at least five years
Who's next..."

Those five years are long gone.