China Threatens WWIII if Iran is Attacked

As I was reading this article, I wondered what possible reason China would have for saying this.  Why would China be willing to ignite WWIII for the sake of Iran?  Is it all about oil??  Certainly, China can't have any love for Shiite Muslims.

A professor from the Chinese National Defense University says if Iran is attacked, China will not hesitate to protect the Islamic Republic even by launching the Third World War.

Major General Zhang Zhaozhong said, "China will not hesitate to protect Iran even with a third World War."
The United States and Israel have repeatedly threatened Tehran with the "option" of a military strike, based on the allegation that Iran's nuclear program may consist of a covert military agenda.

Iran has refuted the allegations, saying that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the IAEA, it has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Over the past weeks, Israel has renewed its aggressive rhetoric against Iran. On November 21, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned that "time has come" to deal with Iran.

Israeli President Shimon Peres also threatened on November 6 that an attack against Iran is becoming "more and more likely."

Iranian officials have promised a crushing response to any military strike against the country, warning that any such measure could result in a war that would spread beyond the Middle East.

Here;  http://www.presstv.ir/detail/213760.html

Of course we do know that Revelation tells of a day that the Euphrates River will be dried up to make it possible for the Kings of the East to march their armies into the battle of Armageddon....so maybe this is just some foreshadowing of what will draw the Kings of the East into Israel? 

Israel is threatening Iran... China has vowed to defend Iran...so China is saying they will attack Israel in defense of Iran?...even if it means their action will ignite WWIII?

Man o man...if this was a game of chess I would be starting to feel like I was in checkmate if I was Israel....but let's clearly remember this;  so goes Israel...so goes freedom for the rest of us.

Hat tip to Tom F.