[mekdoonggi]

I am certainly not an expert. What resources or military capability does Russia have that China could not eclipse, replace, or source from a partner?

What would it mean for Russia to become a "real" western country? Why would China fear that?

Whatever happens, Russia needs to sell resources to stay afloat. I have a hard believing that if it came down to it, China couldn't just seize Vladivostok.