I understand why China and Russia- exporter nations- wouldn’t take kindly to the strikes. But if what you suspect (of Chinese involvement) is true, joining the west in what amounts to imperial policing actions on behalf of a state actively committing genocide, I’d say it’s not a good look.

Maybe China can provide some moderation within these operations (kinda doubt it). I suppose that’s the best-case scenario. But the Houthis aren’t, say, ISIS- and there’s always going to be some discomfort from the notion of China going alongside with such actions. If you ask me it strikes me as reminiscent- if not at all in scale- to how the eight nation alliance “policed” and terrorized China back during the Boxer rebellion, and I would wonder if these actions might wind up being counterproductive for China and its reputation with average citizens within the region- governments will understand, sure, but the common folk may not, and I wouldn’t blame them at all for it.