The state of the world five years ago was drastically different to what it is today. Being a warmongerer and dictating diplomatic affairs with real mobilization of brute force has become a lot more realistic and practical now.

China is serious about their One China policy and it's only a question of when they think it's their moment to strike. Russia has already demonstrated for them, sacrificial lamb style, that warmongering does not actually carry significant penalties on the world stage if you're already estranged from the west to begin with.

And before anyone says I'm a Russian and/or Chinese apologist: No. I fucking hate this state of affairs. I would much prefer a world in which we can live in relative peace. Sadly, we aren't and can't back(ing) up our desires and demands for peace with tangible repercussions against those that violate it.