Discourse on China has turned into fan fiction. It is either: “China will collapse tomorrow,” or “China could boss Moscow around tomorrow.” When Zelenskyy laments that “it is a pity China does not stand with us politically,” what he really means is: “You have immense influence. Why don’t you use more of it for us?” But that overestimates China’s leverage over Russia while underestimating China’s self-restraint in the exercise of power. China supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity as a matter of principle, while simultaneously backing Russia’s opposition to NATO expansion as a matter of security doctrine. That is why Kyiv finds Beijing insufficiently supportive, while Moscow finds Beijing insufficiently aligned. China is not fighting this war for either side. It is managing the war’s consequences for itself. China has no interest in becoming a second empire.