China maintains its forces just over the border to decisively intervene in its smaller neighbor. Here's What You Need to Know: The economic, political, and military costs of a Chinese invasion outweigh the benefits—at least for now. Amid the near-constant threat of a crisis breaking out on the Korean Peninsula, one major power is often left out of the discussion: China. The People’s Republic of China shares an 880 mile long border with its notoriously unpredictable neighbor, has a large army and values stable borders at any cost. In the event it deems military action necessary, what are Beijing’s options for dealing with North Korea and what kind of force could it bring to bear?