It's a side of effect of purges and centralization. It changes from a bureaucracy to giant game of telephone where the message is their interpretation of what Xi wants.

China is simply normalizing the notion that boarders are ephemeral. Who’s entitled to them and where they are should be left to powerful states, like China, to dictate.

*borders

Clearly ... presumably with Taiwan in the background. I don't think the Chinese much care about these territories or Russia's announced, preferred, status except what it means for them domestically again Taiwan.

Surely it's occured to them that maybe Britain wants HK back cause, you know, things are not clear. Not that the British would be that dumb --- but it's an argument that cuts multiple ways none good.

Finally,you gotta believe china sees Russia currently as a giant baby sitting project well considering how that plays well for china.

No, the ambassador's statements are completely contrary to Chinese policy. He went off script and stuck his foot in his mouth.

In general, China is extremely hard-line on the idea that sovereignty is inviolable, and that countries should not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

Far from saying that powerful states should dictate borders, China - much more than the US or any other major state - insists that borders cannot be shifted. China hasn't even recognized Russia's annexation of Crimea, despite Russia's closeness with China. If China were really trying to normalize the notion that borders are ephemeral, it would have recognized Crimea as Russian long ago. It hasn't.

It is not a small topic to talk about, but in short Chinese are somehow like a spring. If you behave more gently, they will behave more violently, while if you behave more toughly, they will behave more obediently.

Yah - usually Chinese government employees are smarter. This sounds like some recycled Russian drivel.