Russia is the aggressive imperialist country that menaces the West with its weaponry, not China. And yet, the American right embraces Putin and hates China. Why?
In light of the current state of Russian politics, you can’t base the argument on human rights. Nor can you say that Xi is woke with a straight face, because he emphatically isn’t.
There are two reasons for the difference, only one of which is reasonable. The reasonable argument is that China, as the world’s greatest manufacturing power, is a greater threat to America in the long run, because Russia is just Nigeria with nukes. The less savory argument is that Putin, as a white Christian, is one of us, but the Chinese are a totally alien race and culture. That’s racism, pure and simple.
Which of the two arguments is more compelling to the reactionary right? You decide.