Makes perfect sense if you’re delivering overlapping EMP blasts. Austin is approximately in the middle of the more populated areas of flyover country in the dead center of CONUS.
Not that I believe they could actually hit Austin. By themselves.
"Forbes rates Austin third most nuke-able city in US. Mayor credits educated workforce, music scene." #whyaustin
Maybe from a cargo vessel in the Gulf, but really doubtful they could launch from Norkland and reach that far. Of course, they might have access to all the guidance stuff the Chinese got from the Clintons...