China with crack not worth considering (6)

I believe the answer is:

paltry

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But I can't explain it at all! Could you help me understand?

(Other definitions for paltry that I've seen before include "Meagre; petty, trivial" , "Derisory" , "Mean - trifling" , "Trivial or contemptible" , "Trival, Inconsequential" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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