Russia and China have set aside their competition in Central Asia:
But China has also managed to avoid stepping on Russia's toes in Central Asia because it has been willing to play second fiddle to the Kremlin on regional defense. Unlike Russia, China does not operate military bases or permanently station troops in Central Asia — and it hasn't demonstrated an interest in doing so anytime soon. (Beijing has categorically denied recent reports that it is constructing a base for Afghan troops near the Tajik-Afghan border.) Russia's appetite for overseas military deployments far outstrips that of China, at least for now.
China focuses on trade and economic development in the region. Russia dominates in the military realm. But China's economic investments will likely be followed by military means to protect the investments, Stratfor notes.
So basically Russia is providing the security for Chinese economic penetration of Russia's sphere of influence.
If the flag follows trade, the flag will be Chinese.
The Russians are delusional to seek confrontation with NATO rather than reinforce their China frontiers.
