China actually thought this. Until Putin demonstrated total buffoonery of a simple invasion of a smaller neighbor. And ****ed off the world along the way.

In 1951 according to China, they accomplished the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet, and according to Tibet it was the Chinese Invasion of Tibet.

In 1997 Hong Kong was signed over to China, and was supposed to enjoy 50 years of significant autonomy. Right, they don't. If you know anyone who has spent any appreciable amount of time in China and done business there ask them how the Chinese are at honoring a contract.

China, like Russia, is no one's friend but their own.