Why China Isn't Helping Russia: A Tale of Sovereignty, Geopolitical Jockeying, and Money

LTC Eugene Chu Yeah I saw a Propaganda Hit Piece from Russia on China Lately. Yeah their "Friendship" Will always be Debatable. They Share One Hell of a Long Border.

This may be simplistic, but this is my take.

China won't help Russia militarily because they are stockpiling to fight us over Taiwan. China also has an ongoing border skirmish with India, which again keeps their weapons stocks balanced.
China will extend credit to Russia, because that's what they do. Trillions of dollars of available cash to feed the bear, if terms are good.
They are ideologically similar, but China thinks they have figured communism out and that Russia is still working out the details. Both are all about sheer numbers in combat and leaving the finesse to others. Having the largest standing army in the world allows them some leeway in that regard.

Overall, China is great at bankrolling whoever will pay, but their military is untested for the most part and they cannot appear weak in battle. I don't think they would, but the level of control that the leadership has is what has kept them out of major conflict because they fear that they would have half their army walk away if given a chance.

It's a new world, and Communism really can't thrive in an environment where they can't control the thoughts and actions of every single person in their borders. History shows that if they are allowed out, they don't all come back.