- North Korea as a buffer zone: China saw North Korea as a buffer zone between itself and US-occupied South Korea. A US-backed South Korea on China's border was seen as a threat to China's security.
- Fear of US expansion: China was concerned about the US's growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region and feared that the US would eventually try to invade China. By supporting North Korea, China could prevent the US from gaining a foothold on the Korean Peninsula.
Ideological considerations
- Support for communism: China was a communist state and supported the communist government of North Korea. China believed that it had a duty to support other communist movements around the world.
Domestic political factors
- Boosting Mao's prestige: Mao Zedong, China's leader, saw the Korean War as an opportunity to boost his prestige both at home and abroad. By intervening in the war, Mao could show the Chinese people that he was a strong and capable leader.
- Uniting the Chinese people: The Korean War also helped to unite the Chinese people behind Mao. The war gave the Chinese people a common enemy to rally against and helped to create a sense of national pride.
Economic interests
- Access to resources: China was interested in gaining access to the resources of North Korea, such as minerals and hydroelectric power.
- Trade: China also saw the Korean War as an opportunity to increase trade with North Korea and other communist countries.