[Polynikes]

The last big dustup China had with Russia was around 1969 over that Amur river area. Both sides traded conventional fire and sustained casualties with Russia eventually making very real threats of using nukes to end the affair once and for all. The Chinese settled down. This was when China was far more aggressive to the Russians.

China is ambitious but sees more benefit, for now, as a economic power and a better return on their investment by flexing their muscle in the South China sea area

[txnativegop]

Well then, what is stop the Chinese from renting the area for their use (so to speak); Putin probably needs the money and it is a very long way from Moscow. Help would be difficult to send.