They might be angling to do exactly that over a long period of time. It’s abundantly clear that Russia isn’t a real world power anymore. They need China more than China needs them. But there’s no reason to start a land war when you can slowly chew on them diplomatically over time.
They also don’t have much of anything China needs. Penalty the biggest value is in keeping other powers busy dealing with Russia. After that maybe oil and gas? Birch wood a distant 3rd?
They might be angling to do exactly that over a long period of time. It’s abundantly clear that Russia isn’t a real world power anymore. They need China more than China needs them. But there’s no reason to start a land war when you can slowly chew on them diplomatically over time.
They also don’t have much of anything China needs. Penalty the biggest value is in keeping other powers busy dealing with Russia. After that maybe oil and gas? Birch wood a distant 3rd?
If we’re going to be credible: freshwater, energy, and people. Those are the 3 things China will take from Russia.