[Sawdring]

I thougth Russia was our ally and feared the long term Chinese border threat?

[super175]

The Chinese are unlikely to sail that ship along very many Russian coast lines if you know what I mean...

[super175]

Also people are realizing that a disintegration of the ruling elite in Beijing would pose much more of a threat than anything.

With the US included, not many people want to see a big old free for all in China. Hence even though not very many people like them, the ruling body gets propped up.

Also don't forget that Russia is making money hand over fist on something that would otherwise just rust away.

[super175]

The border threat and fear of instability if the CCP were to fall is most likey the deciding factor here... other than money that is.

[super175]

Russia probably won't encourage a fight, but if China tries to attack and gets its @ss whooped, there will be riots in the streets in Beijing.

Riots in the streets= mass migration into Russia. It might be illegal for the Chinese to do that, but its better than getting shot, beat up, or living in lawlessness.

[Askel5]

I'm sure they're just palming off "seconds" off on the Chinese. Outfitting their military with tools that will collapse overnight like some Evil Empire.

Though China exercises all sorts of discretion when picking and choosing the American technology it steals and the vendors it will allow to take a carefully circumscribed stab at its markets ... I'm sure they're trusting as hell where the Soviets are concerned and don't even notice they're buying schlock armaments, ships and who knows what else.

Sino/Soviet split notwithstanding, of course.