Russia being more powerful than China?
Where are Russia's carriers? China is already testing the Varyag that will be far more capable than any Russia carrier currently deloployed. Credible reports are also talking about 2 70,000 tonne+ conventional carriers being constructed that will be able to carry around 70 aircraft each. Other reports speak of 2 100,000+ nuclear supercarriers that will be ready by 2020.
How many independent economic analysts have predicted China overtaking the US to be the largest economy in the world by 2020? Too many for sure.
Anyone who thinks that China won't build a military that will be able to defend it's economic interests around the world surely does not understand geopolitics.
Russia is not match for the Chinese, only the US is.
Again one that confuses the advantage of China in terms of economy, with an advantage in military power!
China is catching up with it's economical growth, but as long as they have not the same number of fighters, subs, carriers or tanks, they are not as capable as Russia in military terms. Russia has an operational carrier and operated carriers for decades. China is refurbishing an Russian designed carrier at the moment and developing a copy of a Russian carrier fighter, not to mention that they lack the experience in operating both. PLAN will still need years to get to the point wher RN is now with their carriers and fighters and the same can be said about the other forces.
In regard of defence developments China is highly dependent on foreign input as well, because most of their fighter designs are based on Russian (J10 based on Israeli) fighters, just like many techs are similar, but not as capable yet. China for example was able to develop J11, but still struggle to get a similar engine like the AL 31s, while Russia has already upgraded versions, with TVC and SC capabilities operational and the NG engine development are on it's way again.
Another example is the radar field, where China has nothing comparable to the BARS, or IRBIS radars of the MKI/MKM, or Su 35 right?
Btw, you mentioned that China is ahead in the AWACS field. How, when their main AWACS aircraft is based on the Russian A50 and the Russian radar techs?
So more money to spend does not automatically mean that they are on par with Russia that has decades of experience and know how. China needs the higher spending to catch up first, but it's obvious that sooner or later they will take over the Russians and will even compete with the US. That's why the US is concerned and tries everything to counter that, be it with less access to western arms and techs, or with new allies like India. The problem is only, they were against us for a long time and we are not dependent on them like Israel, Japan, or S. Korea. If they want more from us, they have to give more first and the rejection of their fighters in MMRCA was a clear sign for that.